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A 



BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



OK 



FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



OHIO 



ILLUSTRATBD 



The people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors ivill never achieve 
anything %vor thy to be remembered xvitli pride bv remote generations. — Macaulay. 



NEW YORK AND CHICAGO: 

The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. 

1003. 



r ^i 7 



W^ 



INDKX. 



PACE 

Allen. Jesse 136 

.Ashbrook. Ira 118 

Balthaser. Henry 347 

Barnett, Jasper J 206 

Barr. William 86 

Baumgardner Family 400 

Beals. C. 382 

Beck, George G 21 

Beck, J. K 42 

Bellermann, J. H 305 

Black, S. C 53 

Blauser. John 162 

Boerstler. Dr. G. W 3i 

Boerstler, Dr. G. W., Jr 36 

Book, John S 168 

Boving, Frank J Ill 

Boyer, Daniel G 360 

Boyer, Henry 338 

Bradford, Dr. A. A 190 

Brandt, Capt. Oliver B 127 

Brasec, John T 13 

Breslin, John G 266 

Bright, David Luther 393 

Bright, Enoch 59 

Brobs't, Da\ id 102 

Brown, Dr. Howard A 271 

Brown. Obed 300 

Buchanan. \V. L 139 

Burton, Van S 159 

Busby, John T 120 

Buscliemeyer. F. J 166 

Christy, Joseph 179 

CIay])ool. Isaac .363 

Claypool. Jacob 18 

Claypool, James B 198 

Clump, Christfipher 247 

Cofman, S. F 49 

Cole, Thomas 372 

Conrad, Henry 193 

Conrad, Jonas 79 

Conrad, William L 257 

Courtrighl. Or. George S 146 

Co.x, Thfimas B 391 

Crouse, Jacob 209 

Cruit, William 184 



Dill, Thomas H 238 

Dolson, Thomas H 54 

Drinkle, H, C 371 

Drum, Henry iDresbach 326 

Ernst. Jacob 204 

Evans, Richard 130 

Ewing, Thomas 352 '■ 

Fenstermakcr, Jacob W 67 

Flowers, Dr. F. L 172 

Fricker, John 276 

Fromlet, Aloys 330 

Ge!ger, Henry W 191 

Giesy, Daniel , 343 

Gicby, H. H 345 

Gillett, Edward M 297 

Ginder, A. H 69 

Ginder. Van H 169 

Gingrich. Thomas 323 

Glick, Manas'seh 88 

Gourley, Rev. John 319 

Gravett, John 65 

Graybill, John 311 

Griffith, Rev. R. H 32 

Griswold. Samuel A 112 

Grove, Isaac 199 

Gundy, Joseph P 379 

Halderman, Rev. George W. . 156 

Hambcrger, G. A 394 

Hansberger, .Miraham 251 

Harmon, John P 337 

Hartmann. J. C 218 

Hedges. Jabez 10^ 

Hege, William 255~ 

Hershberger, Dr. J. P 248 

Hewetsnn, Dr, Peter 25 

Hill. H. A. P 325 

Hills. James 346 

Hile, Col. John C 82 

HolTman, Cieorgc E 292 

Holliday. F. A 341 

Holmes, Richard 386 

Hooker, Valentine 51 

Hnffer, Cornelius 255 



PAGE 

Hufford, Emanuel 310 

Hufford, William 63 

Hummell, J. D 141 

Hunter, Hocking H 11 

Humer, \V. J 99 

Hyde, John 71 

Keller, John B 322 

Kiger, George W 186 

Kissinger, David E 183 

Kocher, John 227 

Lamb. Hon. G. W 41 

Lape. Theodore 211 

Larger, Ambrose 327 

Lerch, Dr. A. V 30 

Lewis, Dr. W. C 107 

Lupher, P. W 48 

Lutz, G. A 329 

MacDonough, Thomas J 290 

Macklin, Philip 96 

Magee, Washington 243 

Mallon, EInathan S 225 

Martens, H. A 176 

Martin, Hon. Charles D 349 

Martin, John D 26 

Matt. George 280 

Mauger, Fred L 194 

McCleery, Mrs. Nancy 222 

McCIenaghan, W. T 351 

Mechling. Rev. George W 212 

Mechling. H. F 3.-5I 

Miiller, M. C 244 

Mock, J. C 207 

Monhank, Dr. R. W 3^7 

Mumaugh. 1. R 361 

Mu,s.ser, A. J 28S 

Musser, David 261 

Mus.ser. Jesse 263 

Myers, William H 286 

Nichols, George 294 

Nourse, John D.. M. D 259 

Outcalt, C. W .370 



INDEX. 



I>AGK 

Pearce, Caleb H 375 

Pence, David 200 

Peters. Newton 181 

Pickering, James T 403 

Pilger, Rev. N. E 304 

Pool. James 171 

Powers. James T 385 

Pratt. Thomas S 30J< 

Reese, Dr. Charles E 91 

Reese. Col. H. B 47 

Keese, iVirs. ivlarv K 2i4 

Reese. \V. J....'. 62 

Reeves. J. G 313 

Reynolds. J. W 277 

Ritchie. J. C 293 

Ropp, J. L 230 

Rosey. Lonis 242 

RowUe, C. M 126 

I 

Sharp. William 122 

Shaw, A. W 296 



PAGE 

Shcrliurnc. Josciili 224 

Sherman, Charles R 143 

Shuman. Joseph D 10$ 

Silbaugh. John J 236 

Siutz, Rev. W. L ,. 306 

Sny<ler. Loms J 378 

Spanglcr, John B 92 

StanUerv. P. B 153 

Steward. J. M 78 

Stover. P. T 321 

Straver. Dr. Frank P 366 

Strode. W. H 109 

Stuckey. Daniel 253 

Stukcy. Dr. F. P 284 

Stukcy. Dr. John J 246 

Sturgeon. Z. T 274 

Thimmes. John II 214 

Thomas. Dr. B. A 72 

Towson. Charles H 37(> 

Trout. "H. G 380 

Turn;r, Joseph S 358 





PAGE 


Vorys, Isaiah 


.... 388 


Walker. Capl. W. W.... 


• ■■■ 133 


Walters. H. H 


.... 196 


Weaver. 11. Clay 


.... 208 


Weist. S. S 


.... 37 


Welsh, George W 


.... 299 


Wetzel. Gi-orge 11 


.... 76 


Wetzel. Jacob J 


.... 390 


Welzlcr. Thomas 


.... 228 


Whiley. Robinson P 


....■ 273 


1 Whitelnirst. Jacob 


.... 303 


Wilhert. Jacob 


•••■ 315 


Williamson. H. C 


• • • • 332 


Wilson. James W 


.... 151 


Wolford. John B 


216 


Work. K. VV 


.... 387 


Work. Robert 


.... .^83 


Wygum, George W 


.... 237 


/.innnernian. Henry .... 


.... iOI 



PREFACB. 




HE greatest of English historians, Macaulay, and one of the most 
brilliant writers of the present century, has said : "The history of a 
country is best told in a record of the lives of its people." In con- 
formity with this idea, the Biographical Record has been prepared. 
Instead of going to musty records, and taking therefrom dry statistical 
matter that can be appreciated by but few, our corps of writers have 
gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their enterprise 
and industry, brought this county to a rank second to none among 
those comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life 
struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelligent 
public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the imitation 
of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by industry and 
economy, have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited advantages for securing 
an education, have become learned men and women, with an influence extending throughout 
the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who have risen from the lower walks of 
life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have become famous. It tells of those in 
every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and records how that success has usu- 
allv crowned their efforts. It tells also of those, who, not seeking the applause of the 
world, have pursued the " even tenor of their way," content to have it said of them, as Christ 
said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — "They nave done wliat they could." It 
tells how many, in the pride and strength of young manhood, left the plow and the anvil, the 
lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's 
call went forth valiantly " to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was 
restored and peace once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every 
woman is a lesson that should not be lost upon those who follow after. 

Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from 
the fact that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which 
would otherwise be inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work 
and every opportunity possible given to those represented to insure correctness in what has 
been written ; and the publishers flatter themselves that they give to their readers a work with 
few errors of consequence. In addition to biographical sketches, portraits of a number of 
representative citizens are given. 

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. 
For this the publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some 
refused to give the information necessary to compile a sketch, while otiicrs were indifferent. 
Occasionally some member of the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such 
opposition the support of the interested one would be withheld. In a few instances men 
never could be found, though repeated calls were made at their residence or place of business. 

October, 1902. The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. ' 




H. H. HUNTER 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



HON. HOCKING H. HUNTER. 



A well known jurist of Illinois said : 
"In the American state the great and good 
lawyer must always be prominent, for he is 
one of the forces that move and control so- 
ciety. Public confidence has ever been re- 
posed in the legal profession. It has ever 
been the defender of popular rights ; the 
champion of freedom, regulated by law ; the 
fii-m support of good government. In times 
of danger it has, like a rock, breasted the 
mad passions of the hour and finally resulted 
in quieting tumult and faction." No politi- 
cal preferment, no mere place can add to 
the power or increase the honor which be- 
longs to the pure and educated lawyer. 
Hocking l-I. Hunter was one of the most 
distinguished attorneys that has ever prac- 
ticed at the Ohio bar and his life record 
forms an important chapter in the annals of 
the state. He won marked distinction he- 
cause of his unimpeachable character, his 
unusual intellectual endowments and his 
thorough understanding of jurisprudence. 

Mr. Hunter was lx)rn in Lancaster, ,\u- 
gust 2_^. 1 80 1. Only a few years had passed 



since the foundation of the city was laid and 
through almost three-fourths of a century he 
continued to make his home here. His par- 
ents W'Cre Captain Joseph and Dorothy 
(Berkshire) Hunter, the fonner a native of 
Virginia and the latter of Maryland. The 
Captain was in command of a company in 
the Revolutionary war and at its close he 
removed to Kentucky, whence in 1798 he 
came to Fairfield county, Ohio, being its 
first settler. Here he owned a large tract of 
land, li\ing the life of a farmer, and now he 
sleeps in the old city cemetery at the corner 
of High and Chestnut streets, while his 
wife is also interred there. In their family 
were si.\ children, but the only surviving' 
one is Mrs. Sarah Cassel. wtm, at the age 
of ninety-two years, is still li\ing in Lan- 
caster. 

Hiicking H. Hmiter, of this rex'iew, was 
the second in order of birth and was reared 
upon a farm, where he spent the days of 
his childhood and youth, assisting in the cul- 
tivation of the field and meadow. On the 
30th of November, 1823, when a young 



12 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



man, he chose as companion and helpmate 
for Hfe's journey Miss Ann Matlack, a 
daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Lynch) 
Matlack, wlio came to Fairfield county 
about 1810. 

The educational privileges which Mr. 
Hunter had received were very limited. He 
attended the country schools near his home 
for a short time, but not content with that 
he managed to become a stuilent in the Lan- 
caster Academy, Ijeing at first under the in- 
struction of Professor Stephen Whittlesy, 
a graduate of Yale College, and afterwards 
under Professor John Whittlesy. a brother. 
of the same college. He l^egan the study 
of law under the direction of Hon. William 
\\'. Irvin. formerly judge of the supreme 
court of the state of Ohio, and distinguished 
among his generation of lawyers practicing 
in the state. W'itli him Mr. Hunter contin- 
ueil his reading until the spring of 1824, 
when he was admitted to the bar. and with 
remarkable constancy he devoted his ener- 
gies to his professional duties to the exclu- 
siiin i)f everv other kind of empinyment or 
business activity. In i8_'5 be was apixjinted 
to the ])osition of prosecuting attorney of 
Fairfield county and for si.\ consecutive 
terms received the appointment, continuing 
in that position through 1831. Early in 
that vear he became asociated as a partner 
with the lion. Thomas Ewing and when 
Mr. Ewing was .serving in tlie United States 
senate Mr. Hunter had almost entire charge 
of their extensive and important practice. 
Id 1 803 he was prevailed upon to allow his 
name to be placed on the ticket as candidate 
for the office of judge of tlie su]ircme court 



of Ohio, and was elected by the almost un- 
precedented majority of one hundred thou- 
sand. In time he was commissioned to the 
office, but becoming convinced that he 
could not tlischarge his judicial duties and 
at the same time look after the important 
litigated interests which had l^een entrusted 
to his care, he resigned his position before 
taking his place upon the bench. During 
the early years of his professional life, the 
legal bar of Lancaster numl>ered not a few 
of the men who have become distinguished 
throughout the nation as leaders of public 
thought and action. It was a se\ere task 
for a young man to enter ujion a profes- 
sional career here, yet he was destined to 
rise to an honorable and prominent posi- 
tion. He began the work for which the 
pre\-ious years of study had been a i)repara- 
tion, becoming a member of a bar where 
sham and reputation and empty i)retenses 
were of no avail in the forensic contest. 
The young lawyer, in his contest with older 
and e.xperienced men whose reputation and 
patronage were already assured, found it 
a hard school, but it afforded excellent train- 
ing and as he measured his strength with 
the best his mind was developed, his intel- 
lectual forces were quickened and strength- 
ened and he accpiired a readiness in action, 
a fertility of resources and a courage un- 
der stress that were essential factors in his 
successful career. He became a well 
known i)raclitioner before the supreme court 
of the state and of the circuit court of the 
United States at Cincinnati and was widely 
acknowledged to be one of the leaders of 
iiis profession in Ohio. He also practiced 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



•3 



before the United States supreme court in 
Washington, D. C. At the time of his 
death tlie bar of Lancaster — liis native 
town — of wiiich he had been a memljer for 
more than forty years, and tlie representa- 
tives of higher courts, met in their respect- 
i\-e forums to pay triliute tO' tlie memory of 
one whose career Iiad reflected honor and 
credit upon tlie judicial history of the 
state. 

His wife outlived him a number of 
years, passing away in 1889. She was a 
member of St. Mary"s Catholic church and 
was a woman of exceptionally beautiful 
character. l(jved by all who knew her. They 
were the parents of nine children, imt only 
three are now living: Mrs. Cornvii. and 



Mrs. (jralTe, who reside at the corner of 
Chestnut and High streets, and Judge Ed- 
ward F. Hunter, of Seattle, Washington. 
Another son, John A., had served as chief 
justice of Utah, but is now deceased. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hunter lived together for forty- 
nine years and upon the 4th O'f February, 
1872, were separated by death, the husband 
being called to his final rest. Faultless in 
honor, fearless in conduct, stainless in repu- 
tation, such was his life record. His schol- 
arly attainments, his citizenship, his reliable 
judgment and his charming powers of con- 
versation would have permitted him to ably 
fill and grace any position, however exalted, 
and he was no less honored in public than 
!o\ed in iirivate life. 



JOHN T. ERASER 



The life record of John Trafiford Brasee 
covered almost eighty years. He was dis- 
tinctively a self-ni.ade man, with no extra- 
ordinarv famih' or ]>ecnniarv advantages 
to aid him at the outset of his career, witii 
many ditificulties and obstacles in his path 
that would have discouraged a man of less 
resolute sjiirit, he worked his way steadily 
np.'ward. commanding not only success, but 
the honor and respect of all with whom he 
was associated. His early years were a pe- 
riod of arduous and unremitting toil but as 
the years progressed he won a place among 
the foremost memljers of the Ohio bar and 



was at one time a leading member ai the 
state senate. 

Mr. Brasee was b.orn in ffillsdale, Co- 
luiiiibia county, New "^'ork, December 24, 
1800, on a farm then owned by his grand- 
father. He was only seven years of age 
wdieii his mother died. His father soon 
afterward met disaster in business and Mr. 
Brasee and his sister, Jane, went to li\'e 
with their maternal grandfather, with 
whom the}' remainetl until the 19th o^f Oc- 
tober, 1809. After the grandfather's death 
on that day, they continued on the old 
home until the spring of rXio, living 



M 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



with their uncle, Benjamin Snyder. At 
that time, ho\\ever, John T. Brasee was 
placed by his guardians in the service of 
Jolm Lane, a man w ho hatl recently mo\ed 
into tlie neighborhood. He received t'nim 
Lane most inluiman treatment. He had to 
work very hard, was scantily supplied with 
clothing and was often sent to bed- without 
his supi])e!r. He did not complain, how- 
ever, for he did nut know that lie might 
have received different treatment under 
other care. After two years, however, his 
guardians took iiim away from the man 
Lane and placed him in the home of Isaac 
Foster, a blacksmith, win mi he found to be 
a very huiiiane man and in whose family 
he found a pleasant home. He assisted in 
the duties of the household and in the black- 
smith shop. He bcxame interested in the 
trade, found it congenial and often said that 
the ring of the anvil was music to him 
throughout his remaining life. When fif- 
teen years of age he left Mr. Foster and en- 
tered the employ of Jonathan Turner, who 
was proprietor of a hotel and tannerv at 
Hillsdale. There he performed manifold 
duties, acting as clerk, manager, hostler and 
barkeeper, and also engaged in breaking 
bark in the tannery. b'rcciuentlv he was 
in charge of the entire establishment, w liich 
he managed most satisfact(irily to his em- 
ployer. His first independent venture was 
made in the spring of i8iy when he ar- 
ranged with Zadnck Xewberry, of Hudson, 
to Ixikc for him all the gingerbread that he 
could sell at the general muster to l>e held 
in the count)', and from the transaction he 
netted twcntv-five dollars, which was con- 



sidered a large sum at that time. In the 
winter of 1817 he first attended school and 
there became a good i>enman and thorough- 
ly mastered Daball's arithmetic so that 
never afterward did any arithmetical prolj- 
lem trouble him. In February, 181 8, he lo- 
cated in Canandaigua, \ew York, and was 
employed in J. W. Beale's tin and leather 
store, having a pleasant home with his em- 
ployer's family. In that year his attention 
was also directed to matters religious. The 
family with which he lived were Episco 
jjalians, and he attended that church under 
the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Onderdonk, 
who afterward became a bishop of the 
church. 

In July of the same year, Mr. Brasee 
determined to seek a home in Ohio think- 
ing- thai upon the western lx)rder where 
there was less competition he would have 
better opportunities for advancement. Ac- 
cordingly he made his way to Olcan, Xew 
\'ork, where he embarked on a small flat 
lx)at for Pittsburg. Journeying at that 
time was far different from the manner of 
travel at the present diay. Jliis was eight 
years earlier than IJ. Tallmadge undertook 
the same trip. He was accompanied by two 
others and when they came to the Alle- 
ghany river it was too low for any kind of 
navigation by the usual lx)ats, and after 
waiting- until i>atience became exhausted, 
they ha<l a scpiare IxKit built, ujxmi which 
they placed their trunks and thus emlxirked 
fur Pittsburg. At night they wcnild haul 
up their little craft to a Ijeiid in the river, 
and picking up bcxirds along the l)each 
would use these for a bed with dn- weeds 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



'5 



for a pillow. The banks of the river were 
a wilderness, containing many friendly In- 
dians from whom they bought meat. Be- 
coming wearied by this mode of tra\"el, 
they afterward put their trunks on a family 
boat to be taken tO' Pittsburg and started 
on foot for that place, arriving at their des- 
tination in three days. Soon after the ri\er 
arose so that navig^ation was possible and 
they took passage on a family boat 
jjound for Cincinnati. Upon reaching the 
latter cit_\-, Mr. Brasee started om foot 
for A\'ilnTington, Ohio', where he met 
his old teacher, Mr. Truesdell, and Jacob 
Basworth, a friend whom he had for- 
merly known in New York and who 
afterward bccamej a leading and; wealthy 
citizen of W'ilming-ton. Seeking employ-, 
ment in that place he entered the service of 
Isaac Morris, clerk of the court, who gave 
him fifteen dollars per nnonth during the 
six months in which he remained in his em- 
ploy. It was there that he first met Judge 
iJunlevy and Thomas Corwin and was 
greatly charmed with the eloquence of the 
latter. It was largely this that induced him 
to I)ecome a law student and engage in 
liractice at the liar. Realizing his need of 
educati'jn he went at once to the Ohio Uni- 
versity in Athens, Ohio, walking all the 
way from Chillicothe, a distance of sixty 
miles. He arrived (in the 5th of July, 1819, 
and at once entered upon a course of study 
that required seven years to complete. Dur- 
ing t!ie entire time he Ixiarded witl: General 
John Brown and in order to meet the e.x- 
penses of his education he worked in the 
clerk's office and taught school during the 
periods of ci>llcge \'acation. He possessed 



determined purpose, strong resolution and 
energy and these qualities aiabled him to 
overcome all the difficulties in his path and 
lay the foundation for a successful future 
as a member of one of the learned profes- 
sions. In 1824 he served for six months 
as principal of the Lancaster Acatlemy and 
io\- his services received t\vR.> hundred dol- 
lars. Returning to Athens he took charge 
of the clerk's office as deputy and also en- 
tered the office of Joseph Dana as a law 
student. In the spring of 1826 he was ad- 
mitted to the bar by Judges Hitchcock and 
Burnett, and immediately afterward lo- 
cated in GallipoHs. Those were the old 
days when lawyers traveled the circuit, 
making" their way from place to place as 
cnurt was in session in different towns. Mr. 
Brasee soon acquired a good clientage. 

It was during the early years of his 
professional career that Mr.. Brasee was 
married, in 1829, to Mary Jane Scofield, a 
daughter of Judge Scofield. Her only sis- 
ter became the wife of James R. Stanbery 
in 1832. Her father, the Judge, found it 
very lonesome with his twf> daughters away 
from home and endeavored to induce Mr. 
Brasee to remox-e to Lancaster, sa) ing that 
his liome was large enough for two fami- 
lies. Two children had been born unto our 
subject and his wife — Ellen and John^ — and 
with their clnldren they left GallipoHs in 
1S33 and ti>;>k up their abode in the Unc 
house of Judge Scofiehl, now used as the 
postoffice. .V contemporary biographer, in 
speaking of Mr. Brasee's career from this 
date iias said : "\\ hen he came to Lancas- 
ter in 1833, tiiat beautiful little city was 
well known as a center of cidture and re- 



|6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



fianenieiit alxne its fellows, but its great re- 
nown was the distinguished character of its 
bar, which then numbered among its mem- 
be*rs Ewing-, Stanbery and Hixntea', who 
were in the vigor of intellectual manhood, 
and were known far lje_\on(l tlie limits of 
the state as giants in their profession. But 
Mr. Brasee did not come among them with- 
out some prestige in his profession ; for al- 
Uiougii admitted to the bar only in i8j6 
he had already api>eared as counsel in the 
supreme court. He first ai>pears in the Ohio 
Kq>r;rts in the case of Smith v. Bing. 3 O., 
.33, which was decided in 1827. the year af- 
ter his admission. .\nd fretpiently thereaf- 
ter his name occurs in the reports till he re- 
tired from the bar some twenty years ago, 
and some of the most important questions 
settled by that court were presaited and 
discussed by hiini. In a case in whicli he 
was a party as well as counsel (Brasee v. 
Lancaster Bank. 14 ()., 318), he argued 
with distinguished ability and' success Avhat 
IS known among the laun-ers of the state as 
the 'triangular (|uestion,' in the contest tor 
priority of lien between a senior judgment 
without levy, an intervening mortgage and 
a junior judgment levied within the year, 
establishing the paramount lien of the elder 
judgment, ;'Jthougli the statute declared 
that, as l>etwet>n it and the junior judgment, 
with le\y, the latter should prevail. .\nd 
this heeajne and remains a leading^ case, 
followed in 16 O., 533 (Halliday v. Men- 
d'enhail), an<l numerous other cases. 

"The Ohio bar, during the time of his 
active professional life, contained, besides 
those already named, a great many dis- 
tinguisheil ujen. a few of whom it max be 



well to menti<Hi: Vinton, Goddard. Irvin. 
Scott, Dunlevy, Este, Hayward, Hanmiond, 
Tapi):in, Odlin, Mur])hy, Bond, Douglas. 
Wilco.K, Swan, King, Sloan, \Yright, Nye, 
Grimke, Leonard, Sill, Silliman, Price, Mc- 
Dowell, Hamer, Corwin. Collins, Storer, 
Wade, Goodenow, Thomiijson, Fo.k and 
A\'orthington. Among these and others 
not so well kno'.m, but of equal ability, Mr. 
Brasee stood as a peer and a brother ; and 
he was esteemed, not only as an able law-" 
yer, but also as a highly cultured and agree- 
able gentleman. He was noted on the cir- 
cuit for his apt and (juaint anecdotes and 
other companionable tinalities. Few of his 
compecVs above named now remain, and 
none of them, it is l>elieveil are ni>w en- 
gaged in the practice of their i)rofession. 
The few who do remain will join heartily 
in donig b.onor to his manory. 

"Without being an orator he was a very 
effective speaker, and was (piite successful 
before juries. His arguments nn the facts 
of a case were remarkable for their com- 
pleteness in presenting the whole case, 
showing a mastery of the facts ajid an ap- 
preciation of the strong and weak jKiints of 
each side, and ability to sift evidence and 
apply it to build up his theory as to the truth 
of the matter. He seldom resorted to sar- 
casm, but on occiision he could use it with 
startling effect. But his lejuling characier- 
istic was his knowledge of the law in its 
most elementary principles. In sjyecial 
pleading and in ecpiity pleading he was a 
master; and he was ready and i)roficient in 
all matters of evidence and practice, which 
made him formidable in the trial of cases, 
lUit hi-; fi rte was in arguments to the court. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



>7 



His miiul' was at once acute and logical, and 
his industry was such that he was always 
found t'ulh' armed and ready for the fray 
whoever might he the champion of the 
other side. In these contests he won most 
of his laurels : and to the student of our 
judicial history these laurels will still look 
fresh and hright. 

"Though decided in his political views, 
he could not be called a partisan, and he was 
ne\-er voluntarily a candidate for office. Af- 
ter the dissolution of the Whig party, of 
which he was a member, and before the for- 
mation of the Republican party, while the 
opposition to the Democratic party was in 
a transition and somewhat chaotic state, he 
was, in 1855, elected! to the state senate, 
and he ser\ed during the two sessions of 
1856 and 1857, and took lan active and 
leading part in the legislation of those two 
sessions, and pariicularly in perfecting the 
act for tiie "Bank of Ohio," which, it is 
ger.erally understood was the joint product 
himself and his associate, Alfred Kelly, sen- 
ator from the Columbus district. The law 
was drafted with great care, and although 
it never went into practical effect in Ohio, 
it had the liiglier distinction of forming-, 
with the law creating the State Bank of 
Ohio, the basis and prototype of the Na- 
tional Bank act, passed by Congress some 
seven years later." 

After the removal to Lancaster, other 
children were added to the family of Mr. 
and Airs. Brasee. Their daughter, Ellen, 
became the wife of T. \V. Tallmadge. The 
other memibers of the family are Alary J., 
the wife of Dr. Hammill, of New! York; 
Clara, the wife of Dr. [. H. Salisbury; 



.Alice, the wife of George W'itte, of Xew 
Orleans; Jnhn S., an eminent member of 
the Lancaster bar; George B., a prosperous 
farmer: and Alorton, who died in the year 
1870. 

Although Air. Brasee met with distinc- 
tion and success in his profession, he grad- 
ually ga\e up his law jiractice for he be- 
came e.xtensi\-ely interested in fanning and 
his attention was demanded in the super- 
vision of his agricultural interests. He 
made judicious investments in farm pni[> 
erly and at the time of his death, which 
occurred at his home in Lancaster on the 
271.11 of October, 1880, he w-as the owner 
of about one thousand acres of the hest 
land in Fairfield county. John T. Brasee 
was a geritleman in the highest sense of 
the word, polite and courteous to all. He 
was also of a genial, jovial nature, wdio en- 
joyed a good joke and \v'as himself an ex- 
cellent story teller. He took great pride in 
his personal appe'arance and Avais plways 
well dressed; a man of his word, he was 
never known to break an engagement and 
his de\otion to his cliaits' inteirests hvas 
proverbial. Late in life lie became a com- 
municant of St. John's Episcopal church, 
which was alwa_\s the church of his chuice 
and in h.armiony -with its principles he 
lived a true, honorahle life. There was a 
sim])licity in his nature that nia<le him very 
free from osten.tation or display, yet there 
was a force of character that eucilbled him 
to overcome the diniculties that surrounded 
an almost friendless l>oy without education 
and without wealth. More than ordinary 
perse\'erance and energy were needed under 
such circumstances to ac<(uire an academic 



1 8 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 

education and professional training, yet his tion and culture and laid the foundation for 
marked enei-gy and natural ability enaliled ci\ilization. In this way did John T. Brasee 
him to advance to a jKJsition prominent accomplish, not only much for himself, but 
among the leading meioibers of Ohio's bar for the state with which he l^ecame con- 
in tlie middle of the nineteenth century. It nected in the early years of his manhood, 
was tlie traveling preacliers and lawyers of and Oiiio has reason to number him among 
tliat (lav who scattered the seeds of educa- her honored and distinguished men. 



JACOB CLAYPOOL. 

Among tlie energetic and jjrogressive wa.s a daughter of Frederick Millei and is 
farmers living in (ireenficld township is still living, having passed the ninetieth 
Jacob Clavpw)!, who makes his home on milestone on the journey of life. Slie was 
section 34. He was born on section 21, in twice married, her first husband having 
the .same township, August 26, 1846, and is l)een Mr. Baugher. l)y whom she had one 
tiie oldest son of Isaac and Xancy (Mason) son and one daughter. Mr. \\'iest was also 
Claypool, wiio are rqjresented on another twice married, his first union being witii 
page of this work. On the family home- Miss W'ildermath, by whom he bad fnur 
stead he was reared and the sun shone daughters. By the marriage of tlie parents 
down on many a field which he plowed and of Mrs. Claypool tliere were four children 
planted in his youth. During the winter l>orn, tliree daughters and a son. namely: 
months he attended the district schools and .\manda, Truphcna. Susan and Oliver J. 
afterward s];ent alxnit fifteen months as a Mrs. Claypt>ol was educated in the com- 
student in the schools of Pleasantville, thus mon schools and in the Fairfield .\cadeniy 
largely sup])lementing his early educational at I'leasaintvilie. Siie fifterward success- 
privileges. He remained at home until his fully engaged in teaching for a numl)er of 
marriage, which ini])i)rtant event occurred years. In her home she was a devoted ruul 
on the /til of October, 1868. Miss Tnvphena li>ving wife and mother and iier death, 
\\'iest becoming his wife. She was born in wiiicb occurred on tlie nth of February, 
Greenfield towjiship October 29. 1847, •'^"'1 1899. ^^^^^ deq)ly mourned by many of her 
is a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Mil- friends as well as her immediate family, 
ler) W'icst, who were early .settlers of the .Slic left three children, Mary Estella, 
county, coming from Maryland to this por- Maude and Florence, who are still with 
tion of Oiiio in i)innccr times. Mrs. Wiesl tlicir father. The only son, Harry Wiest, 




-^.^ 




J 




/f 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



2 1 



had died in infancy. Florence married 
Lewis IW. Marks on April 17, 1902. 

After liis marriage Mr. Claypool took 
lip his abode in a log cabin, eighteen by 
twenty feet, which stood upon the farm on 
which he yet lives. In 1889 he erected his 
present modern and attractive residence at 
a cost of three thousand dollars. He has 
long successfully engaged in stock raising 
and dealing, and has cultivated the greater 
part of the farm of one hundred and fifty- 
five acres which he owns. His methods are 
progressive and modern and his efforts 



bring to him annually good crops as well as 
good returns fr(_^m his stock interests. He 
served for two tenns as president of the 
Fairfield County Agricultural Society and 
did much to promote the farming- interests 
of his community. He was also^ honored 
with tlie office of towliship trustee for nine 
\ears, being chosen to the position on the 
Republican ticket. He is a imember and 
trustee of the Presbyterian church and is 
a citizen of worth whose life is at all times 
honorable, upright and worthv of high re- 
gard. 



GEORGE G. BECK. 



Cieorge G. Beck \\as born in Lancaster, 
Ohio>, January 30, 1816, on the spot of 
ground on which he resided to the close of 
his life and where his father's family had 
liveil since 1810. He was a son of Jacob 
Beck, torn in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 
1777, while his mother, who' bore the 
maiden name of Anna Goss, was a native 
of Basil, Switzerland, born in 1784. The 
parents were pious Chri-tians and donated 
the lot on which the first Lutheran church 
was Ixiilt in Lancaster, the grounl now oc- 
cupied by the A. Getz shoe fattory. He was 
the youngest of four children : Jncob, born 
in i8d4, and died in 1898: Anna, who wa^ 
born in 1808 and passed away in 1890; 
Marv, whose birth occurred in 18 12, and 



who died in 1872 ; and George G., born in 
1816, and died in 1885. 

The early education of Georg-e G. Beck 
was effectually adapted to fit him for that 
eminent degree of usefulness for which his 
life was distinguished. His exalted relig- 
ious character and his great worth as a wise 
and safe counsellor were known and recog- 
nized far beyond the limits of the com- 
munity in which he resided. No trust w"as 
e\-er committed to. him that he did not faith- 
fully discharge. He was a stanch Lutheran, 
and the new St. Peter's Lutheran church, at 
the corner of Broad and Alulherry streets, 
stands as a monument to him and the mem- 
bers of the building committee, who not only 
contributed most liberallv of their means but 



22 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



zealously devoted their time and strength to 
its upbuilding. Mr. Beck learned the trade 
of a tanner but tlid not follow that vocation. 
In 1835 he entered the drug store of Bury 
& Dumont and learned the business. In 
i(S4o he purchased the interest of Dunwnt 
and carried on the business on an extensive 
scale, wholesale and retail, in the building 
now owned by Beecher \Miite, as partner 
with his l)n)ther-in-law, Josqjh Bury. Mr. 
Bury died in 1846, when Mr. Beck l>ecame 
sole owner of the store, and later purchasetl 
the kiilding of the heirs of Christian King. 
With only a short intermission in which he 
was connected with the Lancaster Starch 
Factory, as superintendent, he remained in 
the drug business to the close of his life — 
from 1835 until 1885, — first under the name 
of Bury & Beck, then (ieorge G. Beck, and 
finally as George G. Beck & Son. In 1859 
he took charge of the drug store in the Fred- 
erick .\. Shaffer building, corner of Main 
street and Fountain s(|uarc. which property- 
he purchase<l in 1881. 

On the 17th of September. 1842, Mr. 
Beck was joined in wedlock tn Maria Louise 
Wagenhals, the elde.st daughter of Rev. 
John and Maria Barbara ( Poorman.) Wag- 
enhals. Six children were born to them, as 
follows ; .\nna Mary; Maria Lou'se and 
Gertrude, who ])assed away \^r\n\■ to the fa- 
ther's death: and John W.. P>. Ellen and 
Julia E., together with his wife, survived 
him. B. Ellen ]>asse<l away on December 
16. 1890, after a long and painful illness, 
caused h\- injuries received in being thrown 
fnni a carriage. She met death with the 



same quiet, Christian resignation with 
which she had met the issues of life. 

John Wagenhals Beck, who was born 
Januan,' 28, 1845, and died September 20. 
1900, was the only son of George G. and 
Maria Loui.se (Wagenhals) Beck. He was 
lx)rn on the old family homestead in Lan- 
caster and when a Ixjy entered his father's 
store. He continued at the same stand 
where he first entered upon his life work 
initil the close of his life. He received his 
early education in the public schools and 
prq^ared himself for college in the private 
school of Dr. John Williams, the celebrated 
instructor and lexicographer. Later he en- 
tered the L'ni\ersity of Pennsylvania, where 
he graduated in ])harmacy in 1868, after 
which he became a partner in his father'.s 
store under the name of George G. Beck & 
Son. He sur\ived his father nearly sixteen 
years but never changed the name of the 
fimt On September 19. 1900, he was at- 
tacked with a violent hemorrhage of the 
stomach, from the effects of which he never 
rallied, and died at three o'clock ,\. M., the 
follijwing day, September 20. Thus the 
names of George G. ]?eck & Son were 
stricken from the list of Lancaster's promi- 
nent and successful business mien, after 
serving the public for more than sixty con- 
secuti\e years. J. H. Moody & Company 
;u"c successors to the business. John W. 
Ikck was a member of the Lancaster Lodge 
(f I-llks an<l was elected as first treasurer of 
the (irdcr in tliis city. Like his father, he 
was a stanch Republican and was always 
loyal to his party. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



23 



Mrs. George G. Beck, iicc JMara Louise 
Wagenlials, is a descendant of the Stantz, 
Huffonl. Snyder and Poorman (formerly 
Purinan) families, who settled in Dauphin 
and York counties. Pennsylvania, prior to 
1744 and 1750. A number of these sturdy 
people took part in our nation's struggle for 
lil>erty in tlie Revolutionary war. Her ma- 
ternal grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Sny- 
der, was born June 4. 1775, near Chambers- 
burg, Pennsyhania, and her maternal grand- 
father, Bernard Poorman, was born April 
7, 1777. in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. 
Her grandparents, j\Iary E. Snyder and 
Bernard PooiTnan. were married near 
Chamljersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1801. In 
1808 they removed to Perry county. Ohio, 
near Si.imerset, and seltled oi^ the farm 
which was their home until death. Their 
second child was ]\Iaria Barbara, born May 
25, 1803. In October, 1822, she was mar- 
ried to Rev. John ^V'agenhals. and on Sep- 
tember 17, 1823, their oldest child, ^laria 
Lx)uise, was l:orn in New Lisbon, Columbi- 
ana county, Ohio. In 1829 he received a 
call from St. Peter's Lutheran church of 
Lancaster, Ohio, where he labored until 
1859, when he accepted a call from the 
church in Circleville, Ohio. In 1868. on ac- 
count of throat trouble, he was compelled to 
retire from the active duties of the min- 
istry. The mother died March 2. 1827, 
leaving three sniall children: ■Maria Louise; 
Philip Melancthon and Elizabeth. Maria 
lionise was married on the 13th of .Septem- 
ber, 1842, to George J. Beck, of Lar.caster, 
Ohio. The home he prepared for her as a 



bride has been her place of residence ever 
since. Althmigh seventy-eight years old at 
this writing, she is in possession of all her 
faculties. She lix^es with her only sur- 
\i\ing- child, Mrs. Julia Beck Fromlet. 

Rev. John Wagenhals, a son of Daniel 
and Louise ( Hornung) Wagenhals, was 
born April 16, 1799, in Gueglingen, king- 
dom of Wurtemberg, Germany. He at- 
tended the parochial school of his native city 
and recei\-ed preparatory training in classical 
studies in the Latin school of the same place 
and afterward pursued his studies in the city 
of Stuttgart. In 1818 he emigrated to 
America, and landed in the city oi Phila- 
delphia, where he became acquainted with 
eminent ministers of the Lutheran church, 
who. in \'iew of his literary attainments, in- 
duced him to devote himself to the service of 
the church. He continued his studies under 
the direction of several reputable clergymen 
lif that early period and was licensed as a 
minister of the gospel September 12, 182 1. 
On Trinity Sunday, in 1826, he was or- 
dained at New Philadelphia, Ohio. His first 
l)astoral charge consisted of a number of 
congregations in Columbiana, Carroll and 
adjoining counties, which he served with 
great self-deniial and faithfulness. Iru 1829 
he recei\ed a call from St. Peter's Lutheran 
church of Lancaster, Ohio, where he labored 
until 1859, when he accepted a call from the 
church in Circle\-ille, Ohio. In 1868, on ac- 
count of throat troul>le, he was compelled to 
retire from the active duties of the ministry. 
Rev. Wagenhals was one of the found- 
ers of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at 



24 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Columbus, Ohio, and was for many years a 
director and a most zealous supi>orter of the 
same. In iiis intercourse with men he was 
invariably courteous and candid. an<l was 
deservedly lield in higli esteem l)y all who 
knew him. As a preacher of the gospel he 
was eloquent, plain and instructive: as a 
pastor he was affectionate and sympathetic, 
and possessed the confidence, respect and 
esteem of his parishioners to an eminent de- 
gree. In 1870 he returned to Lancaster, 
where he spent the last years of his life. 
He died Sei)tember 12, 1884, at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-five years, four months 
and twenty-six days. 

Philip M. Wagenhals. a son of Rev. 
John Wagenhals and Maria Barlxira (Poor- 
man) \\'agenhals, was born March i, 1825, 
in Carroll C(_>unty, Oihio. He received his 
early education in Lancaster. Ohio, and at 
the Greenfield Academy, which was con- 
ducted bv Dr. John Williams. He read 
n^edicine under Dr. (\. W. Boerstler, Sr., 
and later attended the University of Balti- 
more, iu' Baltimore. Maryland, from which 
he was graduated in 1846. On June 14, 
1847, he was united in marriage to Susan 
E. Shaeffer, of Lancaster, Ohio, and located 
in Somerset, Perry county,. Ohio, where he 
resided several years. He was a prominent 
and successful physician of this city from 
1854 until 1874, when he removed with his 
family to Columbus, Olrio, where he died 
February ]6, 1881. His wife and eight 
children sur\i\ed him. 

Julia .\. Wagenhals, a daughter of Rev. 
J. and Margaret (Miller) \\'agenhals. be- 



came the wife of Rev. C. Albrecht, deceased, 
who for many years was pastor of the Lu- 
theran church at Miamisburg, Ohio. She 
]>assed away on the 3d of March. T893, 
l-,eing survived by her seven children. 

Rev. Samuel Wagenhals, D. D., a son of 
Rev. J. and Catherine (Ludwig) Wagen- 
hals, was lx)rn in Lancaster, Ohio, on the 
17th of Januai->', 1S43. He received his 
early education in the iniblic schools of his 
nati\'e town and also under the instruction 
<jf Dr. John Williams. He graduated from 
Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, in 
1862, and soon afterward enliste<l in the 
One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry as a private. At the end of the 
Civil war he was mustered out as first lieu- 
tenant of Company B, and immediately en- 
tered the Theological Seminary, at Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1868. 
He is a prominent minister of the Lutheran 
church and is president of the board of 
directors of the Lutheran Seminary at Chi- 
cago, Illinois. He is still serxing his first 
pastorate at Fort Wayne, Ind'ana, where he 
has resided since 1868. 

Katherine Wagenhals, a daughter of 
Rev. J. and Catherine (Ludwig) W'agen- 
li.nN, married Rcw (ieorge Harter, and they 
are living in Akron, Ohio. 

Mary Wagenhals, the youngest daughter 
of Rev. J. and Catherine (Ludwig) Wagen- 
hals, married David M. F.nnnitt, of 
Wa\erly, Ohio, where she is now living 
with her son, her husband having passed 
away in 1895. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



25 



PETER HEWETSON, M. D. 



Dr. Peter Hewetson is tlie oldest rep- 
resentative of the medical profession en- 
gaged in cointinnous practice in Fairfield 
county. He is now living in Amanda, 
where a large and lucrative practice is ac- 
corded him in recognition of the public 
faith in his skill and ability. The Doctor 
is a native of Scotland, his birth having 
there occurred in Wigtown, October 26, 
7832, his parents being, Dr. Joseph and 
Isabella (Hanna) Hewetson, both of whom 
were natives of Scotland and came to the 
United States in 1833. The father read 
medicine and afterward graduated in the 
medical dqjartnient of tlie Edinburg Uni- 
versity of Scotland in 1827. For a time he 
practiced his profession in the land of tiie 
heather and then believing that he wiould 
have better Ixisiness opportunities in Amer- 
ica he made preparations for seeking a home 
in the new world, crossing the Atlantic. He 
spent six mi>nths as a practitioner in Penn- 
sylvania and then took up bis abode in 
Belmont count}-, Ohio, where he continued 
to practice until within a short time of his 
death, which occurred in 1855. His wife 
died in Belmont county in Augtist, 1858. 
The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
John Hewetson, also a native of Scotland. 

Dr. Peter Hewetson was accorded good 
educational privileges, attending the public 
and private schools. In 185 1 lie became a 
student of medicine, reading under the di- 
rection of his father and later entered the 
oftke of Dr. Henry West in St. Clairsville, 
Belmont countv. His first course of lec- 



tures was pursued in the Bellevue Col- 
lege of New ^'ork city, and later he 
matriculated in the Mliami Medical Col- 
lege, of Cincinnati, in which he was grad- 
uated in 1853, upon the completion of 
his course. Then he began practice in Bel- 
mont coiunty, Ohioi, but in 1858 came to 
Amanda, where he has remained continu- 
ously to the present time. Here he has 
built up a large and successful practice, hav- 
ing the confidence not only of numerous 
patrons but of the medical profession of 
Fairfield county. Although majiy years have 
elapsed since he concluded his college work 
he has ever been a close, earnest and dis- 
criniinating student and has kept in touch 
with the ad\'anced thought and progress of 
the day along the line of his chosen voca- 
tion. 

In 1867 the Doctor was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Effie Dum, of Amanda, Ohio, 
a daughter of Samiuel and Elizabeth (An- 
derson) Dum. Mrs. Hewetson was born 
in Pike county, this state and by her mar- 
riage has become the mother of five chil- 
dren : Minnie E. ; Mary B. ; Joseph E., 
who is engaged in the practice of medicine 
with his father; William L., whoi carries on 
agricultiu-al pursuits; and Helen P. 

Tlie Doctor gives his political support 
to the Democracy. He was a loyal soldier 
of the Union at the time of the Civil war, 
serving for three years as assistant surgeon 
in the Forty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 
Many of the boys in blue have reason to re- 
miember him because of the aid that he ren- 



26 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



dered to theiii in hours of distress and suf- kal profession. He is a most affable gen- 
fering-. He Ijelongs to the Clark County 
Medical Society, to the ^■\3nerican Medical 
Association and to Amanda Lodge, No. 
509, F. & A. M. Through his association 
•with the first two he keeps informed con- 
cerning the progress being made in the med- 



tleman, widely and favorably known and 
is held in high estean by his many friends. 
He has a \ery wide acquaintance through- 
out the coniUy and is the loved family phy- 
sician in manv a household. 



JOHN D. MARTIN. 



John D. Martin left an indelible impres- 
sion on the public life of Fairtield county. 
No citizen in the community was ever more 
resi>ected and no n-um ever more faithfully 
«njoye<l the confidence of the people or 
nnore richl\- deserved the estean in which 
he wlas held. In his lifetin\e the people of 
his district, recognizing is merit rejoiced 
in his advancements and the success to 
which he attained and since his death they 
ba\e cherished his memory, which remanis 
as a blessed l)enedictian to all who knew 
him. Honorable in Inisiness, loyal in citi- 
zenship, charilxuble in thought, kindly in ac- 
tion, tnie to every trust confided to his care, 
his life was the highest type of Christian 
manhood. Few men endear themselves to 
so great an e.xtent to their biisiness associ- 
ates and to those with whom- they come in 
contact in the discharge of public duties as 
<Iid John D. Martin. 

A native of Fairfield county he was born 
in Greencastle, January 7, 1819, and pa.sse<l 
away on the 7th of December. 1898, when 



almost eighty years of age. His early boy- 
hood wa.s a period of earnest and arduous 
ti il but he developed thereby self reliance 
and various forces of character which 
pro\ed strong elements in his success in 
later life. Dm'ing his early boyhood he ac- 
comjianied his jiarents in their removal to 
Baltimore. Fairfield county, and was there 
employed by the contractors on the Ohio 
Central canal to carry water to their work- 
men (in tiie deep cut near Monticello. Here 
his commeiKtable Ixjyish qualities and faitii- 
fulness attracted the attention of Nathaniel 
R. Usher, who, as the canal neareil comple- 
tion, oij^ened a store at the new town of Mil- 
lersix>rt and who ofifered the boy a position. 
Later Mr. .Mlartin left the employ of Mr. 
L'sher and entered the store of Ceorge B. 
Arnold of Utica, Licking county, Ohio, l)e- 
coming a salesman. In the store was an- 
other clerk — a lxiy alwint his (nvn age — 
W. S. Rosecrans, the future conunander of 
the army of the Cumberland. 

In the yenr \'!^^(^ |ohn D. Martin arriveil 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



27 



in Lancaster and there more than half a 
century was a \-ery important factor in lius- 
iness circles here, his history forming an 
intregal part of the professional and com- 
mercial circles of Fairfield coimty. He first 
entered the store of Levi Anderson as a 
salesman and afterward was in the emplnv 
of Jchn H. Tennant. Li 1840 M. B. Brown- 
ing became the successor of Mr. Ten- 
nant and a new^ firm was formed under 
the name of M. B. Browning & Com- 
pany, his , salesmen. ^lartin and Stam- 
baugli, being the silent partners. Air. 
Brow'iiing- came to^ Lancaster from the east 
and for a time had the financial support of 
his uncles, one in Canton, Ohio, and two' in 
New York, but he was an unsuccessful 
business man and in a year or two the new 
ctjucern failed and' Stambaugii and Martin 
found themlselves involved and liable for 
Mr. Browning's debts. Mr. .Stambaugh 
benefited by the bankrupt act and was re- 
leased but Mr. Martin declined to do that 
and sent for Mr. Tliayer, one of the credit- 
ors, a distinguished merchant of Philadel- 
phia. Coming to Lancaster, the gentleman 
made a thorough examination of the affairs 
of the firm and effected a settlement, charg- 
ing Mr. Martin with one-fourth of the in- 
debtedness. Having no' capital, our subject 
ga\-e his note for the amiount and after sev- 
eral \ears 'had passed was free from all 
financial ol>ligations. Li the meantime he 
had determined to enter the legal profession 
and he began the study (jf law tmder John 
T. Brasee, one of the most eminent lawyers 
at the I)ar of Fairfield county. Air. Thayer 
had given Mr. Martin the books of the old 
concern to settle up and so well did he per- 



form his duty that when admitted to the bar 
collections were entrusted to him from many 
(if the leading business houses in Philadel- 
phia, owing to the influence of Mr. Thayer. 
\\'hile a law student, Mr. Martin also acted 
as bookkeeper for Gilliert Devol for two 
years and to some extent he was interested 
in the tin business. For ten or twelve years 
after his achnission to the bar he remained 
an acti\e and prominent memlber of the 
Ijrofession. The zeal w4th which he devoted 
his energies to his profession, the careful re- 
gard e\inced for the interests of his clients 
and an assiduous and unrelaxing attention 
to fJl the details of his cases, brought to him 
a large business and made him \-ery success- 
iul in its conduct. His arguments elicited 
Avarm commendaticn not only from his as- 
sociates at the bar, hut also from the bench. 
He was a \-ery able writer ami his briefs al- 
ways showed wide research, careful thought 
and the best and strongest reasons which 
coidd ht urged for his contention, pre- 
sented in cogent and logical form, and illus- 
trated by a style unusually lucid and clear. 
He was emjiloyed uiion many innportant 
cases with Brasee and Hunter as opposing 
counsels. In 1854, S. C. Stambaugh, his 
former associate, returned from! California 
with some ready money and induced Mr. 
Martin to jcvin him and P. B. Fwing in a 
banking enterprise. The Exchange Bank 
of Martin & Comiiany wias organized. The 
agreement with Mr. Martin was that he 
should spend one hour each day in the bank 
but he coukl not trust important nratters 
f( r which he was responsible to* others when 
he could attend to them himself and he 
found it necessary to spend his entire time 



28 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in the bank ;.o that he gave up his profes- 
sion. This baniv did' a profitahle business 
until the year 1864, when it was merged 
into the First Xational Bank of Lancaster, 
and witli the new institution Mr. Martin 
was connected, Ijeing cliosen president. For 
thirty-two years he was a very active factor 
in the financial circles of this city and han- 
dled millions of money witlmut the loss of 
a dollar to any man. He not only succeeded 
in establishing one of the strongest financial 
institutions in this portion of the state, Init 
through his capai>Ie business management 
won prosperity and in 1886 lie sold his in- 
terests in tlie hank to the late S. J. Wright, 
retiring [jermanentlv from business. 

A man of resourceful ability he looked 
beycaid the conditions of the moment to the 
possibilities of the future and did not confine 
iiis efforts alone to one line. For many years 
he was a partner in a dry g(X>ds store; es- 
tablished and was connected with two or 
three enteq>rises of that ch.aracter. He was 
also largely engaged in tiie milHng business 
and s]>eculated in coal lands and engaged in 
mining and shi])ping coal on an e.xtensive 
scale. His connections with business inter- 
ests of Lancaster covered a period of sixty 
years, years of toil and anxiety, prosperity 
and adversity, but though discouragements 
andi obstacles were encountered, he pushed 
forward with resolute heart and strong will 
and eventually gained a place among the 
most successful men of his community. Tiie 
m,ost envious could not grudge him his pros- 
perity, so iionorably was it won and so 
worthily used. From ])enniless bcyh(Xi<l to 
an lionorable old age, his career was ever 
worthv of Commendation and lurnishes 



many examples for emulation. His sound 
business judgment was often sought and his 
advice was always faithfully given and was 
greatly- a]>i>reciated by many niien who acted 
ujxin it with profit. Senator Ewing hatl a 
high opinion of his ability and frequently 
sought his counsel. 

Li 1840 Mr. Martin was united in mar- 
riage to IMary Jane Ilennan, who died in 
1870, leaving Wve children : M^rs. Clara 
McNeill, William L. and George K., -\vho 
are residents of Lancaster; Ed'win S., who 
is living in New Straitsville; aiid Charles 
B., who makes his home in Brice, Ohio. In 
1872 Mr, Martin was again married, his 
second union being- with Jane M. Becket, of 
Fairfield county, a lady of high scholarly 
attainments, being at one time principal of 
the Lancaster high school. She is still liv- 
ing, making lier home in that city. Mr. 
ALirtin was a man of domestic tastes and 
found his greatest enjoyment at his own fire- 
side in the midst of his family, Tiie de- 
clining years of his life were .spent in the 
quiet of his home where he took great pleas- 
ure in his l)Ooks occasionally, however, tak- 
ing sunwner trips to Middle Bass, Lake Erie, 
which, outing he greatly enjoyed. 

In ills political affiliations Mr. Martin 
was a stalwart Republican, unswei-ving in 
his alleg-iance to his jxirty and was recog- 
nized as one of its leaders in this i>art of 
Ohio. He gave his ser\ices freely and 
gratuitously to the cause of Republicanism 
and his efforts were potent for the i^arty's 
success. He was an excellent si>eaker, 
strong and deep and' convincing in his rea- 
soning. He was a friend and associate of 
the great leaders of the Republican party 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



29 



and his int^ueiice was strong with the suc- 
cessive administrations. He delivered many 
pubHc aiddresses at tlie time whai the cotm- 
try was invoJved in Ci\-il war, when the 
boys in blue were upon the held of liattle 
in the south. He was a very close friend of 
Secretary of State Sherman, who was l»rn 
ill Lancaster and' during- the stonny days 
pre\'ious to the resum)ption of specie pay- 
naent, when Sherman was secretary of the 
treasury in the Hayes cabinet. John D. Mar- 
tin was one of the closest advisers O'f the 
finance minister, and' many O'f his sugges- 
tions \v,ere incoi'porated into law on the 
recommendation of Shennan. While an 
active factor in business and political circles 
Mr. Martin never neglected his duty to his 
fellow men and to his Creator. He regard- 
ed the former as a part of the latter, believ- 
ing that Christianity largely constituted 
m^Ji's treatment of his felloAv men. He was 
one of the original organizers and main 
supporters, financiall)- and spiritually, of the 
present English Lutheran church of Lancas- 
ter. Ohio'. Always ready tO' help the cause 
of Christ in any and every way he could and 
being a man O'f much more than ordinary 
mental capacity, he soon made himself felt 
in all departments of church work. He 
commenced life with nothing but honesty, 
industry and perseverance. But these he 
used to the best possible advantage, and soon 
became a power in the community, religious- 
ly, socially and financially. Churches, 
schools and colleges would come to him for. 
aid and advice. He gave the first three 
thousand dollars toward the endowmait of 
Wittenberg College; this he afterward sup- 
pleniiented by other donations, some of 



which ranging as high as five thousand dol- 
lars. For years he paid' a fourth of the past- 
or's salary and other things in proportion, 
in the church in which he worshipped. .\nd 
so scriipukxrs was he in matters pertaining 
to the church and her institutions that in a 
time cif financial crisis, when not ha\'ing 
plenty of ready money, we would know him 
to pay the interest due on his college endow- 
ment notes and at the same time leaving his 
taixes go by default, preferring rather to 
pay the penalty on taxes rather than the in- 
stitution should suffer. He was unostenta- 
tious. Hie never tried to make a show of 
his benevolence or religion. He tried to 
see the hand of God in all his tlis- 
pensations, whether prosperous or ad- 
\'erse. At every point in his career ]Mr. 
Martin seemed tO' have realized the possibili- 
ties at that point. In boyhood he was sur- 
rounded by many discoiiraging circumstan- 
ces but his strong puqjose and indefatiga- 
ble enterprise enabled him to lay the foimdai- 
tion t!-. success. He possessed keen foresight 
and sound judgment and moreover his un- 
faltering honesty was one of the potent forces 
in his prosperity. He regarded political ac- 
tion not as a man's for personal advance- 
ment but jierformance of the duties of citi- 
zenshi]! and the paying of the debt which 
he owed to liis country. His church rela- 
tions were largely ideal. His natural en- 
dowments were a cjuick and strong temper 
and a wann* heart, a gentle manner anti a 
quiet courtesy. To control the first and 
to make his life the fioivver and expression 
of the other traits was the task which nature 
had assigned him. We know nothing of 
the struggle but were daily witnesses of the 



30 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



victory. Kindness was the motive of his great majority of his friends, his companion- 
life. He iiad a well spring of afifection and ship was select rather than large but the 
a quick and generous synipath\-, which in- many who looked up to and respected him 
creases by giving, and became richer by be- realized as full\- as did the few who were 
ing a very spend-thrift. Like all who walk nearer him tliat a true niian had fallen when 
througii life on a iiigher plain than the deiith claime<l liim. 



ADELBERT V. LERCH, M. D. 



Among the citizens that Pennsylvania 
has furnished to Ohio is numbered Dr. 
Adelbert V. Lercli, who is now successfully 
practicing in I'leasantville. He is yet a 
yuung man but has already attained dis- 
tinction that many an older physician might 
well envy. He was born in Walnut Grove, 
Jefiferswi county, Pennsylvania, on the 2d 
of September, 1869. His father, Amos B., 
became one of the leading, influential and 
active citizens of Morrow county, his labors 
contril.uting in large measure to progress 
along many lines. He was born in Jeffer- 
son county, Pennsylvania, August 24, 1843, 
and in early life followed merchandis'ing 
and farming, the latter i)ursuit, liowevery 
being a side issue and consisting principally 
in trving to raise the best and largest of any 
crop in Iris vicinity, paying the expenses of 
this enterprise from his other revenues. He 
enrlv received Inisine.-s training in his fa- 
ther's store. He was a graduate of a high 
school and connnercial college and for some 
yeai-s he was upon the road as a traveling 
salesman, representing a Pittsburg house. 



Subsequently he embarked in general mer- 
chandising on his own account at Ringgold, 
Jeffcrion county, Pennsylvania, but the field 
of labor there was not broad enough for one 
of his energetic and enterprising nature and 
after a few years he sold his store and came 
to Ohio, thinking to find greater oppor- 
tunities in the new west. He located at 
Steam (."orners. Morrow county. Ohio, 
where he purchasetl a .steam sawmill and 
lumber yard, making the lumber into all 
kinds of building material required in the 
locality. But to a man of his resourceful 
ability this did not offer opportunities 
enough for his activity antl he purchased a 
farm, devoting his attention to manufac- 
turing himlicr and to agricultural pursuits. 
He became more and more attached to agri- 
cultural interests as the years passed by, the 
occupation proving one very congenial, i^- 
cordingly, his first farm of eighty acres was 
too small an<l he sold his farm, mills and 
linnl>er yard, removing to the eastern part 
of iMorrow coimty, where he purchased a 
large tract of land to which he devoted his 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



31 



energies and business talents. In a few 
3'ears he had won the reputation as one of 
the most progressi\-e, enterprising and pros- 
perous famiers in that portion of the state. 
His capabihty attracted the attention of the 
infirmary directors, who induced liim to ac- 
cept the superintendency of the Morrow 
Count}' Intfirmary. He was a good book- 
keeper, was tlie secretary of the board and 
made out their reports to the county com- 
missioners, and it is but just to say that 
from no department of the countv govern- 
ment has thei'e ever come a neater and more 
accurate report than that made by the in- 
firmary directors wliile ]\Ir. Lerch was their 
secretary. A local paper in speaking of the 
serx'ices that Mr. Lerch rendered as super- 
intendent said : '"The improvements on the 
infirmaiy farm, with all the aggregation of 
appliances for convenience and comfort 
known to modern science and mechanical 
skill, wherein- the unfortunate poor and the 
iielpless maniac might be better cared for ; 
with fine gravel walks and drivewavs like 
those on the lands of a lord: with a thriftv 
young \'ine_\-ard ready soon to* bear its 
luscious clusters: with sloping front lawn 
toward sunset similar to those described in 
works of dreamy fiction ; with an iron fence 
apparently as periuanent as granite, all were 
added by way of permanent impro\-ements 
to our county farm without extra lew for 
the infinnary fund. Into each and everv 
one of these Superintendent Lerch ]:ut his 
thoughts ami his energy. If any future in- 
quisitor of the expenditures of the infirmarv 
fumd during Lerch's administration desires 



to exercise his call, in showing linw much 
less any subsequent administration of the 
infirmarv has cost tlie county, he must not 
forget to credit these permanent improve- 
ments with their fair annual rental value." 
Along other lines, too, Mr. Lerch proved his 
deeji interest in his county by promoting 
l)ublic progress. He was an active factor in 
educational circles and his efforts in this 
direction were instrumental hi improving 
the schools and raising the standard of 
teaching. 

About 1865 Amos ]'.. Lerch was united 
in marriage to Laura C. McFarkuid, a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, and they 1>ecame the 
parents of three children': J. H. C; R. 
"\A . C. who was a practicing physician; and 
Adelbert \'., of this review, but the last 
named is nrjw the only one living. 

Dr. Lerch. whose name introduces this 
record, pursued his earl_\- education in the 
l)ul)lic schooLs of Ohio, to which state he 
was lirought by his parents during his early 
boyhood. When his literary course was 
completed he entered upon the study of 
medicine. ha\ing determined to engage in 
the practice 'as a life work. He matricu- 
lated in the Starling Medical College, of 
Columbus, and in 1892 was graduated in 
that institution with the degree of Doctor 
(-)f Medicine. Immediately afterward he 
came to Plea>antvil]e, Fairfield county, 
where he has since built u]) a large practice, 
for he soon demonstrated his skill and abil- 
ity and showed an accurate kniowledg-e con- 
cerning the use of remedial agents. He 
closely studies and ponders all articles and 



32 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



works i>i value to the medical profession 
and is thus constantly l>roa(Iening bis 
knowledge and promoting his efficiency. 

In 1893 the Doctor was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Eliza C. Chick, a tlaughter of 
William J. and Sarah P. Chick, her father 
having l^een/ a well known real estate dealer 
of Chattanooga. Tennessee. He Ijelonged 
to an old time Virginia family of promi- 
nence aii«l influence and was an only soitj and 
received excellent educational privileges, 
being a graduate of the University of Vir- 
ginia arnid also of the Poughkeepsie Com- 



mercial College, of New York. For many 
years he was actively and extensively en- 
gaged in real estate dealing and negotiated 
man)- imix>rtant realty transactions, this de- 
partment of business activity claiming bis 
attention until his death, which occurred in 
1894. The marriage of the Doctor and his 
wife has been blessed with one child. Will- 
iam Carlton, who is a bright boy and is the 
life ami light of the household. The Doc- 
tor and his wife have many warm friends 
in the community and aijoy the esteem of 
all who know them. 



REV. R. H. GRIFFITH, M. A. 



The Rev. K. H. Griffith, who devoted 
many years of his life to the active work of 
the ministry and who is ik>w well known as 
a representative of real estate and other 
business interests in Fairfield county, was 
Ixirn in Marshall, Higliland comity, Ohio, 
on the 17th of October, 1849, ^""'^ parents 
being W. H. and Margaret D. Griffith, both 
of whom are now deceased. His collegiate 
education was obtained in tlie Ohio Wes- 
levan University aiwl some years afterward 
the degree of Mjister of Arts was conferred 
upon him In' the Taylor University. De- 
termining to devote his life to the ministry, 
that he might aid in ui)lifting humanity, 
Mr. Griffitli became i(lentilie<l with the 
Mcthfxlist Ki)iscopal church in the Ohio an- 
nual conference in the year 1872. He was 



then twenty-three years of age, and for a 
long period he was connected with the Ohio 
anmia! conference, but in January, 1895, he 
was transferred by Birhop J. M. Walden, 
D. D., LL. D., to the Des Moines aramal 
conference, and stationed at Ilunieston, 
Iowa, serving as pastor of tlie church of 
that place for four years. He was then 
stationed by Bishop J. H. Vincent, D. D., 
LI.. D.. at Stuart, Iowa, but resigned his 
l)astorate there about the middle of the sec- 
ond year because of his wife's health and 
ailso liecause financial interests in other sec- 
tions of the country demanded his ])ersanal 
attention. 

In the yean- 1873 Rev. Griffith was 
united in marriage to Miss Susan C. South- 
ard, a daughter of Rev. J. W. and Mary J. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



33 



Soutliard, the Rev. H. B. Westerbelt, D. D., 
officiating. After ten years of married life, 
one Sunday in September, 1883, in Deaver- 
town, Morgan county, Oliio, a daughter 
came to bless the union- and to her they gave 
the nam€ of Floy Inez. 

Mr. Griffith is a saiior partner of the 
firm of Griffith & McCurdy, owninig a large 
general store in Bremen. He is also a mem- 
ber of the Bremen Lumber Company of the 
same place. Investigation antO' the history 
of the town would show that Mr. Griffith 
has had no little to do with the rapid and 
splendid growth of the beautiful village. 
He was instrumental in laying out what is 
known as the Griffith & McCurdy addition 
and in placing in this district a, number of 
good homes. Though he has large business 



interests in Bremen he maintains his old 
home in Basil, in the same county. His 
house, with its environments consisting of 
brick walks, broad and velvety lawns and 
ample shade and fruit trees makes a de- 
lightful home, and there Rev. Griffith and 
his wife spend many happy hours. He loves 
to contribute to the welfare of the Basil 
Methodist church, and says: "There are 
not many of us, I)ut like every Methodist 
Episcopal church, we are here to stay." 
Although not nov/ actively connected with 
the ministry, his interest in the welfare and 
progress of his church is no less deep and 
abiding, and his influence and labors are 
continuously given' for the proinotion and 
upbuilding of his denomination. 



GEORGE W. BOERSTLE.*^!, M. D. 



In the death oif Dr. George W. Boerst- 
ler, Lancaster and Fairfield county lost one 
of her most prominent and highly respected 
citizens. As the day, with its morning of 
hope and promise, its noontide of activity, 
its evening O'f completed and successful ef- 
forts, ending with the grateful rest and 
quiet of the night, so was the life of this 
honored man. His career was a long, bus\- 
and useful one. and although he was earnest 
and active in business, he never allowed the 
pursuit of wealth to warp his kindly nature, 
being to the end o'f his life a kindly, genial 



friend, one w hom it was a pleasure to know 
and meet under any circumstances. He at- 
tained the advanced age of seventy-seven 
years, retaining to the last those qualities 
of the mind and heart which had endeared 
him to everyone throughout his life. 

Dr. Boerstler was born on the Atlantic 
ocean in 1792, at the time his people emi- 
grated to America, and passed away at his 
Ii(-nie 'in Lancaster, OhiO', on the lotli of 
October, 1871. Excellent educational 
privileges were afforded him. It was the 
desire of his parents' hearts that he enter 



34 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tlie ministry of the Lutheran church and 
when his preparatory education was suffi- 
cient to enahle him to take up study fitting 
him lor the ministry, he did so, but h'is own 
choice of a professiion was not that made 
for him by his parents, although it was one 
which is of the greatest benefit and import- 
ance to his fellow men, — that of the prac- 
tice of medicine. His father was a physi- 
cian of pronounced ability and the si n be- 
came imbued with an irresistible desire to 
follow in his footsteps. At length, the ob- 
stacles being removed, he entered upon the 
study of medicine and was graduated with 
the degree of Bachelor of Medicine of the 
University of Maryland, in Baltimore, in 
1820, when he received from Professor 
Potter the following commendatory cer- 
tificate, which, Cfjaning from such a broadly 
known and eminent source, was to young 
Dr. Eoerstler a credential letter, introduc- 
ing him in flattering terms, toi the confi- 
dence of the medical faculty anywhere in 
the United States or in Europe: "The bearer 
hereof, Dr. George W. Boerstler, has been 
duly examined by the professors of Mary- 
land, and acquitted himself to the entire sat- 
isfaction in every department. No man 
ever left the facult\- of Physic with more 
eclat, lie carries with him as nnich knowl- 
edge as has ever fallen to the lot uf any 
man' since the establishment of the insti- 
tution. Mis capacity is not excelled by any 
man, and his industry is equal to bis ca- 
pacity. His sterling integrity and moral 
worth will always reconnnend him to the 
consideration ami patronage of the wise 
antl virtuous, as soon as he becomes ac- 



quainted with them. — Nathan Potter, M. 
D., Professor 'rhet>ry and Practice of Medi- 
cine, University of Maryland, March 4, 
1820." 

The professional career of Dr. Bcerstler 
was one of distinguished honor. A perfect 
master of the construction and functions of 
the component parts of the human body, of 
the changes induced in them by the on- 
slaught of disease, of the defects caused 
upon them as a legacy of progenitors, of the 
vital capacity remaining in them through- 
out all the vicissitudes, Dr. Boerstler was 
\\^\\ fitted for the practice in the profession 
in which he made steady advancement. He 
succeeded because he desired to succeed. 
He was great becau.se nature had endowed 
him bountifully and he had studiously and 
carefully and conscientiously increased the 
talents that had been given him. Splendid 
success attended his efforts to relieve the 
ailments of suffering humanity and for 
many years he occupied a position of dis- 
tinction as a leading member of the metl- 
ical fraternity in this portion of Ohio. He 
was always a student, reading widely, think- 
ing deeply, studying broadly. 

The Doctor was married to Elizabeth 
Sinks, and removed from' Ilagerstown, 
iMaryland, to Lancaster, Ohio, in i8^^3, ac- 
companied by his wife, their daughter and 
his son-in-law. Dr. Tom O. Edwards, who 
was associated with him for many years 
in the duties of his profession. They had 
not long been established in Lancaster un- 
til a large practice was accorded them and 
the skill and ability which they manifested 
in solving the intricate problems of dis- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



03 



ease, gained for thein a constantly growing 
patronage. The Doctor had not long re- 
sided in his new home until he was called 
upon to nnurn the loss of his wife, who died 
in 1838. Later he married Elizabeth 
Scuhr, who surviAed him for a number of 
years, but passed a\vay in J\'Iay, 1900. 

Dr. Boerstler was a valued manijcr of 
the Fairfield County Medical Society and 
also belonged to the Ohio State Medical 
Society, which he assisted in organizing 
and twice served as its president, and to 
the American Medical Association, joining 
the latter in 1850. A member of the pro- 
fession who knew him intimately said of 
him : 

"The medical reputation oi Dr. Boerst- 
ler was built upon a foundation of solidity, 
and this grew up intoi vigor and public ap- 
preciation more and more with his advanc- 
ing years. He was a medical student to 
the end of his life; kept unitomi step with 
onward progress with his profession ; was 
familiar with all its signalized specialties : 
was well posted in its scientific expositions : 
was cognizant of every public valuable cura- 
tive discovery, and was therefore fully pre- 
pared for every existing emergency in his 
own immediate practice. His diagnosis of 
disease, in its subtle and more comphcated 
forms, was always received by his profes- 
sional brethren with confiding and com- 
manding respect. As am experienced and 
learned consulting physician he acquired a 
wide reputation. To accomplish the great- 
est good in the practice of his profession 
was the passion of his life. No^ one ever 
sought his aid in vain, rich or poor, misery 



in rags, or disease in tapestrv ; he went to 
all, to comfiirt all. and. if ]iracticable, to re- 
lieve all. In whatever household he was 
summoned as a physician, he left it as a dear 
and confidential friend. In- his hitercourse 
with his medical brethren he was governed 
ever h\ the strictest formulas of honor; no 
one man understood more sensitively than 
himself the delicate obligations of his pro- 
fessional code of ethics, and no one wag 
more courteous and punctilious in observ- 
ing them." 

Dr. Boerstler's activity continued up to 
the time of his death. No wearing illness 
wasted him and almost up to the moment 
when the final summons came, he was seen 
passing to and fro through the streets of 
Lancaster, greeted evevywhere by friends 
who entertained for hinr the highest re- 
spect, regard and veneration. The same 
source from which we have already Cjuoted, 
gives us the following: "On the day pre- 
ceding his death, he appeared, to* those w^ho 
saw him, in his customary health; during 
the evening of that day he had a long and 
very pleasant intercourse with a friend from 
abroad, who communicated to him some 
very gratifying intelligence respecting an 
absent member of his famiily, lonig loved 
and very dear to him. W'ith a father's 
full heart, he inmiediately prepared a long, 
consoling, paternal letter, which he intended 
to have copied early the next day, and dis- 
patch as early as possible to this distant one. 
The ensuing niorning found Irim up, happy 
with hope, and glow^inig with good inten- 
tion ; loving and l(i\ed, at peace with God, 
and in cliaritv with man. While standing 



3«J 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



before his glass to adjust some personal into the anns of his wife and daughter, and, 
toilet refjuirenient, the supernal mandate unruffled and painless, he passed gently and 
came to call him home; he sank suddenly raipidly away." 



GEORGE W. BOERSTLER, M. D. 



The world instinctively pays deference 
to the man wiiose success has been worthily 
achieved, who has attained wealth by hon- 
orable business methods, acquired the high- 
est reputation in his chosen calling by merit, 
and whose social prominence is not the less 
the result of an iiTeproachable lite than of 
recognized natural gifts. Greater than in 
almost any line of work is the responsibility 
that rests upon the physician. The issues 
of life and death are in his hands. A false 
prescription, an unskilled operation may 
take from man that which he prizes alx)ve 
all else — life. The physician's jx^wer must 
be his own; not by purchase, by gift or by 
influence can he obtain it. He mu.st com- 
mence at the very beginning, learn the very 
rudiments of medicine and surgery, con- 
tinually add to his knowledge by close study 
and earnest a]>plicatioii and gain reputation 
by merit. If he would gain the highest 
prominence it must come as the result of 
sujjcrior skill, knowledge and ability, and 
these r|uaIifications are possessed in an em- 
inent degree by Dr. P.oerstler. He has at- 
tained marked distinction as a representa- 
tive of the medical profession in Lancaster. 

.\ native of this state, he was born on 



the 24th of November, 1846, and is a son 
of Dr. George Washington Boerstler, whose 
sketch precedes this. In the public schools 
of Lancaster the Doctor acquired his ele- 
naentary- education and later atten<led the 
private school of Dr. John Williams. On 
putting aside his literary text lxx)ks he be- 
gan reading medicine in his father's office 
and was graduated iiii the medical depart- 
ment of Wooster College with the class of 
1S69. Very desirous of attaining a high 
degree of ]>roficiency in his chosen calling, 
he took a post graduate course in New 
York and then returned to Lancaster, open- 
ing an office and entering upon the ]irac- 
tice which has steadily increased in' volume 
and importance. He has kept in touch with 
the most advanced thought of the times 
through the ]>erusal of the leading medical 
works that have l)€en written and through 
his membership in the Ohio State Meilical 
Society and the .American Medical .\ssocia- 
tion, where the interchange of thought and 
knowledge constantly l)roadcns the niimls of 
those who attend the convocations. 

In 1872 Dr. Boerstler was united in 
marriage to Miss Sally Reevcr Cam|). of 
Lancaster. The ladv, however, was )>orn 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



17 



in Sandusky, Ohio, and is a daughter oi 
John G. Camp, a prominent resident of this 
city, and a granddaughter of one of the 
Revokitionary heroes, who served in the 
war for independence with the rank of 
major. Unto the Doctor and his wife was 
born a daughter, Elizabeth, who is now the 
wife of B. J. Swimiierton, of Stone, Staf- 
fordshire, England. The wife and mother 
died in 1886 and her death was mourned, 
not only by her immediate family, but by a 
large circle of wami friends who enter- 
tainetl for her the highest regard. 

Fraternally the Doctor is connected 
with Lancaster Lodge, No. 27, F. & A. M., 
and also witli the chapter and commandery 
of this city. In his political affiliations he 
is a Democrat, earnest and unfaltering in 
his advocacy of the principles of the party. 
For several vears he was a member of the 



board of United States pension examiners 
and for four years was a member of the 
board of trustees of the asylum at Athens. 
He is a gentlanan of broad culture, of 
genial disposition, and has a deep interest 
in his fellow men. Whatever tends to pro- 
mote the interests of his profession and 
place before man the key to the mystery of 
that complex problem which we call life at 
once attracts the interest and co-operation 
of Dr. Boersller. He is an extremely busy 
and successful practitioner. He is a man 
of the highest and purest character, an in- 
dustrious and ambitious student, and a 
gifted teacher of surgery. Genial in dis- 
position, vmobtrusive and unassuming, he 
is patient under adverse criticism, and in 
his expressions concerning brother practi- 
tioners is friendlv and indulgent. 



SAMUEL S WEIST. 



The name of Sanuiei S. W'eist is indel- 
ibly engraved upon the pages of the history 
of Baltimore, Ohio, where he has served as 
mayor for eighteen years, while for a long 
per.od he was actively associated with its 
business interests and along all lines ui 
progress he has borne his part. He is pop- 
ular and honored and is resjiected by all 
who know him by reason of his genuine 
worth of character ami value as a citizen. 

Mr. W'eist was Ix rn September 1, 1834, 



and comes of a family of German, lineage. 
The ancestry can be traced l.)ack to Jacob 
Weist, his great-great-granidfatlier, who 
was born in Germany and came to .\nierica 
in 1 75 1, taking up his abode in Philadel- 
phia, hut the following year settled on a 
farm in Lancaster county, i'ennsylvania. 
In 175.' he paid the passage of a young 
Gemian girl who' came to this country in 
a sailing vessel and later he made her his 
wile. Thev had two childrai and becaiuie 



38 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the louiulers of tlie Weist family in Amer- 
ica. Christian Weist, tiie great-grandfa- 
ther of our subject, was a Revolutionary 
soldier wlio served with tlie rank of cap- 
tain, and the sword which he carried during 
the war for independence is now a cher- 
ished heirloom in the possession of our sub- 
ject. He passed his entire life in LauH 
caster county, Pennsylvania, where he mar- 

■ ried Catherine Goskley, and they had si.x 
children. One of this family. Jacob Weist, 
became the grandfather of l^ur su1>ject. He 
was a soldier in the war of i8i_'. serving as 
a private. In 1820 he came to Fairfield 
county, Ohio, accompanied b\- his wife. 

•'Catherine Hostler, and in 1S21 settled in 
the eastern part of (Jreenfield township, 
where he lived for mr re than a half cen- 
tury, passing away u];on the old homestead 
there in 1872 at the very advanced age of 
eighty-nine years, bis remains being in- 
terred near his old farm. He was the fa- 
ther of eleven children, ten of whom reached 
years of maturity, were married and bad 
large families. 

Benjamin Weist, the father of 1 ur sub- 
ject, was the second in order if birth. He 
first opened his eyes to the light of day April 
28, 1808, in Lancaster, T'ennsylvania. and 
was a youth of twelve years when brought 
to Fairfield county, Ohio, by his parents. 
He was reared upon the home farm and ac- 
quired a limited education, having little op- 
])ortun'ity to attend school, ft;r his ser\-ices 
were needed in the wnrk of the fields. 
While yet a l>oy he al.so Ijegan learr.ing the 
carpenter's trade, which he followed until 
1850, when he purchased a part of h's fa- 
ther's farm, upon which be lived until his 



death. In 1830 he was united in marrige 
to f-!.lizal)eth Bowser and unto them were 
born eight children: Samuel S. ; Jeremiah, 
who died in 1850; Mary, wife of Dr. B. 
K. Thomen, a resident of Baltimore, Ohio; 
Benjamin and Jefferson, who have passed 
away; Caroline, w!ho became the wife of 
Daniel Fisher, but is now deceased, while 
her husband died in the army when serving 
as a member of Company I, Seventeenth 
Ohio Molunteer Infantry, in the Civil war; 
'Sarah P., deceased wife of Philip Hatter; 
Elizabeth, wife of M. M. Benjamin, a resi- 
dent of Baltimore, Ohio; and Priscilla, wife 
of Charles Hedges, of Delaware, Ohio. The 
father of this family died on the 21st of 
January, 1893, and his wife passed away 
March 25, 1880, at the age of si.xty-nine 
years, their remains being interred in Bethel 
cemetery, Greenfield township. She was a 
daughter of Jacob Bowser, who came to 
this country from Germany in 1818 and 
settled on a farm in Greenfield township ad- 
joining that of Mr. Weist, where he lived 
until 1850. He died in that year while 111 
a visit to his son in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 
His W'ife, who bore the maiden name of 
Mary Snyder, passed away in 1825. Mr. 
and Mrs. Weist were members of the 
L'nited Brethren church and took a very 
active part in its work. He served as cap- 
tain of a company in the state militia and 
w ith his command was called out to salute 
the first canal bial that tltiatcd on the Ohio 
canal, lie led a life of industry and stune 
of the liouses which he buill in this county 
are still standing. 

Sanuiel S. Weist of this review was born 
and rcirc 1 uiion hi> lather's fariU' in Green- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



39 



field township, wliere he remained until he 
was nineteen years of age. In the mean- 
time he had become conversant with the 
common branches of English learning" 
taught in the district schools. The temple 
of learning in which he was a student was 
a log building and methods of instruction 
were almost as primitive as the school house. 
At the time he left home he beg^an learning 
the carriage maker's trade, serving a two 
years' apprenticeship, after which he pur- 
chased a shop in Greenfield township, con- 
ducting it until 1863. The country was then 
involved in ci\il war. The question of 
slavery in the south had brought about a 
desire for secession hi some of the southern 
states anil the Union needed the aid of its 
loyal sons to preserve the country intact. 
Accordingly in January, 1863, Mr. W'eist 
put aside his business cares and joined Com- 
pany' I, Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infan- 
try. He participated in all the engagements 
with his regiment until the fall of Atlanta, 
when he w^as detailed and served at the 
headcjuarters of General Thomas, there 
continuing until the close of the war. For 
three months he was daily under fire and 
took part in some very important and 
sanguiiue engagements, but at length was 
honorably discharged at Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, on the 1 6th of July, 1865. Return- 
ing to his home he resumed carriage mak- 
ing in the spring of 1865 in Baltimore, 
Ohio, and followed that business continu- 
ously until 1895, when on account of his 
health he retired from business cares. He 
had received a liberal patronage on account 



of Iiis excellent workman.ship and the dur- 
ability of the pr(jducts which he turned out, 
and as the }ears passed Ms financial re- 
sources were thereby increased. 

On the 15th of December, 1859, Mr. 
Weist was united in marriage to Miss Re- 
becca A. Brandt, a native of Greenfield 
township, Fairfield county, and a daughter 
of Adam and Rebecca (Cooper) Brandt. 
The first representative of the Brandt fam- 
ily in America was Ludwig Brandt, who 
crossed the Atlantic from his native country 
— Germany — in the year 1745 and took up 
h'is abode in Pennsylvania. The first of 
the name to seek a home in Fairfield county 
was also named Ludwig, and the year 1800 
witnessed his arrival in Greenfield town- 
ship. He was the great-grandfather of 
Mrs. Weist. The family has a recoaxl for 
patriotism and devotion to the okl flag of 
whicJi its members have every reason tO' be 
proud. Its history in this direction is cer- 
tainly remarkable. In the war of the Revo- 
lution two brothers of the name joined the 
army, serving under General Washington. 
In the war of 18 12 a number of the name 
served under Generals Harrison and Wayne, 
and in the thinl generation we find mem- 
bers of the family with Generals Tay- 
lor and Scott in the war with Mexico in 
1846. From ten difl^erent northern states 
representatives of the family went to join 
the l'>deral army and took part in a large 
.numiber of the most important battles of 
the long conflict. Again we find soldiers 
of the name of Brandt defending the stars 
and stripes in the Spanish-American war. 



40 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



St) tliat in every important war in the history 
of the country tlie family has been reprc- 
senited by loyal men, who have rendered 
valuable aid to the nation. In the Civil war 
six brothers of the name of Brandt and three 
of their brothers-in-law went from Fairfield 
county to the seat of war. Tlie mother 
of Mrs. Weist bore the maiden name of 
Rebecca Ann Cooper. Her fathei' was a 
slave owner in an early day, but believing 
that such a policy was wrong he emancipated 
his slaves and on this account so aroused 
the ire of his neighbors in Virginia that he 
was obliged to leave that state and accord- 
'iiigly with his family he came to Lancaster, 
Ohio, in 1806. Here he followed his trade, 
that of harness making. Adam Brandt and 
his wife, the paraits of Mrs. Weist, had 
seventeen children, and six sons, as before 
stated, were loyal defenders of the Union 
cause in the Civil war, includino; Captain 
Brandt, of Carroll, Ohio, whose sketch ap- 
pears elsewhere in this work. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. W'eist lui\e been 
born two children: Eldon Orlando, born 
April 10, 1862, married Miss Loretta Lit- 
tlejobn and is living in Baltimore. Ohio, 
where he is editor of the Twin City News, 
a pa]Ter of th.at place. Ara B. is the wife of 
Rev. Walter Kling, a Presbyterian ni'nister 
now living in Canton, Olrio. They have 
one child, Ruth Pauline. 

Mr. and Mrs. Weist hold membershi]) 
in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which 
they are leading and active workers, and he 
takes ;i very active part in teni]>erance work 
and while may()r of the citv allows no sa- 
loons or lir|Uiir s'lld here. In i8(>o ho was 



census eiunnerator. In 1881 he was elected 
mayor of Baltimore and has held the office 
altogether for eighteen years, filling the posi- 
tion at the present time. It is a record al- 
most unparalleled in the history of the coun- 
try and certainly no higher testimonial of 
his capability in office and his faithful dis- 
charge of duties could lie given than the 
fact that he has so long Ijeen retained as 
the chief executive of the city. He is a char- 
ter member of Cupp Post, No. 263, (J. A. 
R. ; acted as its first commander and after- 
ward .ser\'ed as adjutant until January. 1902, 
when he again became comanander. He 
lias three times served upon the staff of the 
state department commander. His wife is 
a leading and active member of the Wo- 
man's Relief Corps, in which she is serv- 
ing as the president. In 1866 Mr. Weist 
became a member of the Indqiendent Order 
of Odd Fellows, in which he h;is filled all 
the offices of the local lodge and has also 
Ijcen district deputv for several terms. He 
has served as recording steward im his 
church for the ])ast ten years, has l)eeni a 
membei- of the school 1x>ard for sixteen 
vears and was serving in that capacity at 
the time the new school house was erected. 
Such in brief is the history of Sanniel S. 
W'eist. 1 he record is one over which there 
falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of 
evil. ]\elial)Ie in business, kindly and genial 
by nature, faithful in citizenship and trust- 
worthy in friendship, it woidd \tc thfficult 
ti! (\w\ line who is more widely or favorably 
known in this portion of the state than Sam- 
uel S. \\'eist. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



41 



GEORGE W. LAMB. 



Oiue of the distinguished citizens of Fair- 
field county is the Hon. George W. Lamb, 
of Hooker, who has been called to aid in 
enacting tiie legislation of the state and who 
as a merchant has shown the possibilities 
of accomplisliment which lie before the 
young men of the nation. Everywhere in 
our laiKl are found men who have worked 
their own way from humble beginnings to 
leadership in the commerce, the great pro- 
ducti\"e industries, the managemient of fi- 
nancial afifairs, and in controlling the veins 
and arteries of the traffic and exchanges of 
our country. It is one of the glories of our 
natioo that 'it is so. It should be the strong- 
est incentive and encouragement to the 
y<JUth of the countr\- that it is so. 

Prominent among the self-made meu' of 
Fairfield county is the subject of this sketch 
— a man honored and respected wherever he 
is known, and most of all wliere he is best 
known. He was bom in Bloom; township, 
this county, December 24, 1845, and is a 
representative of a pioneer family here. His 
grandfather, Philip Lamb, was one of five 
brothers who came to this county about 
1780, and he located in Blooan township, 
while the others settled- in Pleasant town>- 
ship. All built log cabins, and cleared and 
developed farms in the midst of the forest. 
They were of Gemian descent and mani- 
fested many of the sterling characteristics 
of the people of the fatherland. The grand- 
father of our subject was a native of Penn- 
sylvauia, while Peter Lamb, the father of 
our subject, was born at the old home farm 



in Bloom township, and there spent his en- 
tire life, devoting his time and energies 
to agricultural pursuits. He was a Demo- 
crat in his political views, never failing to 
vote for the men and measures of the party. 
H'is death occurred when he was in his 
eighty-sixth year. His wife, Mrs. Cather- 
ine (Lane) Lamb, wias a daughter of James 
I>ane, who' was of Welsh lineage and re- 
moved from the Keystone state to Fairfield 
county at an early epoch in its history. Mrs. 
Lamb was born in Amanda township, this 
county, and lived to the advanced age of 
eighty-eight years. By her marriage she be- 
came the mother of eight children, five sons 
and three daughters, all of whom reached 
.adult age, while all are yet living with the 
exception of one brother, William. 

George W. Lamb is the fourth child 
and third son. He was reared 00 the old 
home fami, \vhere he remanied until eight- 
een years of age, assisting in the work of 
plowing, planting and harvesting until the 
labors of the field were over, and then spend- 
ing the winter months in the acqitirement of 
an education in the district schools. He 
later went to the Fairfield Unioo Acadeiuy, 
where he spent two years. Subsecpiently 
he engaged in teaching school for a number 
of years and was elected principal of the 
Carroll school, filling that position for four 
years. On the expiration of that period he 
turned his attention to merchandising in 
Carroll, and after two years remO'\-ed to 
Hooker, where he has since engaged in 
grain dealing and general merchandising. 



42 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



covering a period of twenty-two years. He 
is the oldest merchant in the town in years 
of continuous connection witli commercial 
pursuits, and the years have witnessed a 
successful career for his enterprise, sound 
business judgment and diligence have 
brought to him prosperity. 

Mr. Laml) has been twice married. He 
first wedded Carrie Broiwn, in August, 1871. 
She died leaving two children — Edward 
Wort and Odessa, the latter the wife of 
James Brandt, a son of Captain O. B. 
Brandt, of Carroll, a .sketch of whom will 
1)6 found elsewhere in our work. For his 
second wife IVIr. Lamb chose Carrie Peters, 
a daughter of Silas and Anna Peters. She 
was torn in Greenfield township, Fairfield 
county, and is now the mother ni three chil- 
dren : Leona, Catherine and Alberta, all of 
wliom are at home. 

In political affairs J\Ir. Laml) takes an 
active part and is an unfaltering advocate 
of the Democracy. Elected to the office of 



treasurer of Greenfield township, he was 
continued in that position by re-election for 
five consecutive terms, ami in 1872-3 he 
was chosen to represent his district in the 
state legislature. In 1894 he was elected 
to the state senate and served so capably 
and with such loyal regard to the best in- 
terests of his constituents that he was re- 
elected in 1896. He has beai postmaster 
and has also been railroad station agent 
at tlooker for about six years. Fra- 
ternallv he is connected with the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, belonging to Napthalia 
Lodge, No. 262, F. & A. U., of Car- 
roll, and to the chapter of Lancaster. 
He is widely known as one of the lead- 
ing business men of the county, the ex- 
tent and scope of his grain trade and mer- 
cantile interests indicating his marked abil- 
itv, enlerijrisc and unfaltering resolution. 
Li citizenship he is loyal and progressive 
and his life record well deserves a place on 
the pages nf the liistory of his native county. 



JACOB K. BECK. 



Jacob K. Reck owns and operates one 
hundred and twenty-five acres of land in 
Fairfield county and is an energetic and 
progressive fanner, whose mellnxls are in 
keeping with the most advanced thoughts 
and ideas concerning agriculture. He was 
lx>rn in the city of Lancaster, June 28, 1834, 
his parents being Jacob and Susan (Kerns) 
Beck. The fatlicr was a native of Baden 
Badetu. Gcrmrniv. and came to the United 



States when about eight years of age with 
his parents, Jacob and Anna Beck. Both 
of the grandparents were natives of Ger- 
many and it was abnut iSc:>5 that they bade 
adieu to the fatherland and sailed for the 
new world. .After landing upon the Ameri- 
can coast they made their way direct to 
Ohio, settling in Lancaster. The grandfa- 
ther was a blacksmith and fnllowod that 
luisiness in ihc cmnitv seat of Fairfield 



run iuoGfiAPiiic.il. riiCorp. 



43 



county throughout the remainder of his 
life, his expert workmanshipi and rehabihty 
in trade winning for him a comfortable 
competence. He died Avhen^ about sixty -five 
years of age. In their family were four 
children, two sons and two; daughters, but 
all are now deceased. 

Jacob Beck, Jr., the father of our sub- 
ject, was educated in Lancaster and under 
his father's direction learned the black- 
smith's traile, which he followed fijr a num- 
ber of years. He was also prciniinent in 
public aflfairs and his fellow townsimen. 
recognizing his worth and ability, called 
him to public ofifice. He presided as county 
treasurer from 1830 until 1836. and was 
a faithful custodian of the puljlic exchequer. 
The trust reposed in him was never betrayed 
in the slightest degree and his word was a 
synonym of integrity. He was held in the 
highest esteem by his fellnw men and often 
was called by them to settle estates, and was 
frequently appointed administrator or ex- 
ecutor by the courts of the count}-, his hon- 
esty being proverbial. Over the record of 
his piibhc career as well as his pri\ate life 
falls no shadow of wrong- or suspicion of 
evil. About 1836 he removed from the city 
of Lancaster, taking up his abode upon a 
farni which he purchased in Hocking town- 
ship, comprising three hundreil acres O'f 
land. This he impnived. making it his 
home until his death. His attention \vas 
devoted to the raising of cereals best adapt- 
ed to this climate and also to the raising 
of stock, and in both branches nf his busi- 
ness he met witji creditable success, which 
he well deserved. It was on the 3d of De- 
cember, 1898, that his life's labors were 



ended in death, at the age of ninety-fuur 
}ears, five months and eight da_\-s. He was 
a member of the Evangelical Lutheran 
church, and for many years was one of its 
ofiicers. His political support was given 
the Republican party, but he never sought 
or desired office, although he filled some po- 
sitions. His wife passed away about eight 
years previous to the death of her husband. 
She was 1)orn in Pennsylvania and was also 
a member of the Lutheran church, li\-ing an 
earnest, ("hristian life, characterized by 
mail}- acts of kindness. This \\-orthy 
couple became the parents of five sons and 
three daughters, six of whom are yet liv- 
ing, namely: Mary .A.nn, wife of Z. Peters, 
of Hocking township: Genrge ^^'., who mar- 
ried Sarah McClarry and also resides in 
Hocking township: Jacob, our subject;. 
H. S., who married Julia Wilson, now de- 
ceased, and is engaged in the banking busi- 
ness in Pierce, Xeliraska : Rev. J. Beck, of 
Richmond. Indiana, who married Lizzie 
Ziegler, of Columbus, Olhio; and Dr. J. S., 
of Dayton, Ohio, who married Sally \Vork, 
of Lancaster. Those deceased are Eliza- 
beth, who died in infancy: and Clara Jane, 
who married William J. Huglies and died 
February 5, 1894, at the age of thirt}-eight 
years. 

Our subject was only two years of age 
when his parents removed to the farm, but 
he acquired his education in the schools of 
Lancaster. He w-as early inured to the 
work of cultivating and impro^-ing the 
fields, and tlirough the summer months 
largel}- assisted in the rai.sing of the crops. 
.\fter his marriage he continued to live upon 
the honie farm for a short time and then 



44 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



removed to tlie farm whicli his father liad 
given him. He now owns and operates one 
hundred and twenty-five acres of rich land. 
It is a model proi)erty for he has made many 
improvements ujjon 'it, has modern ma- 
chinery and all the equipments necessary to 
facilitate the work. Diligence and enter- 
prise are numbered among his character- 
istics and have been the foundation of his 
success. 

Mr. Beck was united in mrriage in De- 
cember, 1859, to Mary E. Wolf, a native 
of Fairfield county, and they became the par- 
ents of three children, but their first bom, 
Carrie, died at the age of one year. Estella 
May is the wife of C. M. Crumley, an in- 
surance agent of Lancaster, Ohio; and Alice 
May is the wife of \\. L. Kiger, of Bluff- 
t(in, Indiana. Her husband is a hardware 
merchant there, and they have one living 
son, Bruce. The mother of tliis family was 
called to her final rest in 1H74 at the age of 
th'irty-two years, dying upon the old home 
place. She was devoted to lier family, do- 
ing everything in her power to enhance the 
hapjiiness and comfort of her Ini.sband and 
children. For his second wife Mr. Beck 
chose Ruth Alice Shellenbarger, and their 
marriage was celebrated on the 23d of 
March, 1876. The lady is the daughter of 
Reuljen Shellenbarger, a native of Fair- 
field county, born in Berne township. He, 



t(X>, was a farmer by occupation and fol- 
lowed that i)ursuit throughout his entire 
life, his death occurring alx>ut twenty-four 
years ago ujwn his home farm in Berne 
township. His wife, who lx>re the maiden 
name of Christiana Pearce, was born in 
Rhode Island and her death occurred in 
1 86 1. By her marriage she became the 
mother of six children, five of whom are 
yet living, namely : Mrs. Ruth Beck ; Mary 
A., the wife of Robert Pierce, of Lancaster; 
Christiana, the wife of John McClain, of 
Pleasant township; Delia, deceased wife of 
Myron Prindle; James, who resides with' 
his sister, Mrs. Beck; and Emma, who died 
in infancy. 

Mr. Beck exercises his right of fran- 
chise in supix>rt of the men and measures 
of the Rqiublican party, and also belongs 
to the Lutheran church, in which he has 
served as trustee for eight years. He takes 
a deep and abiding interest in even*' move- 
ment and measure calailated to promote 
the material, intellectual, social and moral 
welfare of his coinmunity and his efforts in 
this regard have not been without effect. 
His entire life has been passed in the county 
of his nativity, and the fact that many who 
have known him from boyhood arc niun- 
bered among his stanchest friends, is an in- 
dication that his career has ever l>een an 
honorable and straightforward one. 




COL. HENRY B. REESE 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



47 



HENRY B. REESE. 



For nmre than thirt_\- years Henry B. 
Reese was iu the employ of the goxernnient 
in the capacity of paymaster and over the 
record of his public career there falls no 
shadow of wrong or suspicion of e\il. He 
was most prom])t. reliable and faithful in 
the discbarge nf bis duties and is a re]n"e- 
sentative of a high type of American citi- 
zenship. He is now living retired in Lan- 
caster, enjoying a well merited rest. He 
was born in this city, April 21, 1832, and 
is a representati\-e of a prominent family of 
Fairfield county. William J- Reese, his fa- 
ther, was born in the city of Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania, on the 5th of August, 1804, 
and pursued his education in Washington, 
D. C, wiiere be continued bis studies for 
several years. In October, 1829, the Rev. 
John \\'right performed the marriage cere- 
mony which united the destinies of William 
J. Reese and !Mary E. Sherman, a daugh- 
ter of Judge Sherman and throughout the 
]Teriod of their married life they resided in 
Lancaster, where Mr. Reese had located in 
1827. Li his political \'iews he was a Re- 
iniblican and was a man of wide influence. 
He possessed many sterling traits of char- 
acter and was held in high esteem for his 
genuine worth. A leader of public thought 
and opinion his influence was felt in behalf 
of ]irogress and imprdxcinent. He attained 
til the advanced age of eighty years, pass- 
ing away in Lancaster in December, 1883. 
His wife, sur\-iving him for several years, 
died rn the 29tb of August. 1900, in her 
eighty-eighth year. Li their family were 



five children: Henry B., of this review; 
Rnsanna, who is nuw ]\L-s. Hovt, of New 
Yory city; M. Al., the wife of Joseph S. 
Reber, of St. Lnuis, Missouri; Mary H., 
the wife of A[. X. Granger, of Zanesville, 
Ohio; and Julia L., of Chicago. 

Li the city of Lancaster Henry B. 
Reese acquired his early education and sup- 
plemented his primary training l>y studv in 
the city of Philadelphia. At the end of 
that period he went toi Mansfiekl, Obdo, 
where he entered the law office of Judge 
T. W. Bartley as a student, though his 
studies were terminated in the office of 
Charles and Jolui Sherman. He then 
returned to Lancaster aud was united 
in marriage to Ellen Kirk, a daughter 
of William Kirk, of Philadelphia. Taking 
up his abode in the city of his birth 
he entered the employ of the H'ocking- 
A'alley Bank, but at the outbreak of 
the Civil war his patriotic spirit was 
aroused and he offered his services to 
his country and became a member of the 
First Obio Lifantry and was elected cap- 
tain of the company and soon afterward 
was a])pointed by P'resident Lincoln, major 
and ])aymastcr for the three months troops- 
of Ohio. On the expiration of that period' 
he was appointed paymaster of the army and 
serx'cd in that capacit)' continuoush' from 
186 r milil July 5, 1888, covering twenty- 
seven consecutive years. During that time 
millions of dollars passed through his hands 
and e\-er_v cent was faithfully accounted for. 
He is a man of unriuestioned bonest\-, whose 



48 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



■word was as good as any iDond solemnized 
by signature or seal. He regards a public 
office as a public trust and no trust ever re- 
posed in him has l)een betrayed in the slight- 
est degree. 

'ihe marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Reese 
■was blessed with five children, but they lost 
one in infancy. The others are William H., 
Hattie E., Mary E. and Helen C. The 
family has ever occupied a leading and en- 
viable i)lace in social circles, where true 
worth and intelligence are received as the 
passports in good society. In his fraternal 
relations Mr. Reese is a Knight Templar 
and in politics is a pronounced Republican, 
imswerving in his fidelity to the party and 



active in his efforts to promote its growth 
and success. He resides at the old home 
of his father's on \\'heeling street, and is 
one of the most respected residents of Lan- 
caster. .Mr. Reese is widely and favorably 
known throughout the state, his abilities 
well fitting him fur leadership in political 
and social life. The terms progress and 
patriotism might be considered the keynute 
of his character, for throughout his career 
he has labored for the improvement of every 
line of Ixishiess or public interest with 
which he has been associated, and at all 
times has been actuated by a fidelity to his 
countrv and her welfare. 



PRESTON W. LUPHER. 



I'restun W . Lupher is the vice-president 
•and general manager of the Logan Natural 
Gas & Fuel Company of Lancaster, Ohio. 
A native of Venango county . rennsylvania, 
he was born in the year 1857. His father, 
W eslev Lupher, was also a native of the 
Kcvstone state and died when his son Pres- 
ton was about three years old. The mother, 
Mrs. Margaret Lupher, was also a native of 
Pennsylvania and uijon the death of her 
husband was left in moderate circumstances 
with the care of a little family. The sub- 
ject of this review began his educatit>n in 
the common scln" Is, where he remained un- 
til his thirteenth year and then started out 
to u'.akc his own wax- in the world. For 



sometime thereafter he was employed at 
\arious kinds of lal)or. In 1865, when the 
work of developing- the oil fields of Penn- 
sylvania was licgun, he made his way to 
that l(K-ality, where he was employed for a 
time. He afterwanl began business on his 
own account in the oil regions in connection 
will) dther parties. In 1S75 he became in- 
terested in a store there and later was known 
as an oil producer, being interested in wells 
in Clarion county, Peimsylvania. 

In the year 1878, Mr. Lupher removed 
to Bradford, Pennsylvania, an<l in ci>niiec- 
tion with his bmther, C. .\. Lujiher, under 
the firm style of Lupher Hrf)thers, (:])erated 
in the oil regions in that locality until 18S3, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



A9 



wlieii he disposed vi his interests and went 
to North Dakota. Tliere lie purchased a 
tract of land and engag-ed in wheat raising 
f<ir six years, on tiie expiration of wiiich 
time he returned to the state of liis natixitx'. 
estabHshing his home in Pittsburg, where 
he engaged in dealing in and handling pe- 
troleum. The year 1898 witnesseil his ar- 
rival in Lancaster, where he has since made 
his home. Here he became associated with 
the Logan Natural Gas & Fuel Cnm'pany 
and superintends its business. lia\ing con- 
trol of its interests in sixteen towns and 
cities. Later lie l>ecame \-ice-president and 
general manager and has since occupied the 
position, with headquarters in Lancaster. 
Few men are better qualifiecl to discharge 
the duties of the office, for througliout al- 
most his entire life ]\Ir. Lupher has been con- 
nected with the business of deA"eloping" oil 



wells and operating in this line of business 
acti\ity. He has so directed his ability and 
efforts as to gain recognition as one of the 
representati\e citizens of Lancaster. His 
life has been one of untiring activity and 
has been crowned with a creditable degree 
of success. 

In 1 881 Mr. Lupher was united in mar- 
riage to Flora I. Remer, and as a result of 
the union one child, Morton S., was born. 
He resides with his father and is attending 
school. Socially Mr. Lupher is a promi- 
nent Mason, Iva\ing taken the degrees of the 
loilge, chapter and commandery, and also 
I if the Mystic Shrine, being identified with 
all these bodies in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. 
In his life he exanplifies the beneficent spirit 
of the fraternity and is known as a valued 
member of the craft. 



SAMUEL P. COFMAN. 



When the arrival of the white man led 
to the making of history in Ohio, but when 
the greater part of the state was still unim- 
l)r<A-ed and progress and development was 
yet a thing of the future, the Cofmau' fam- 
ily was established in Fairfield county. The 
first of the name of whom we ha\-e record 
was David Cofman, who lived and died in 
Virginia. His son John was the great- 
grandfather of our subject. He became a 



resident of Lancaster in 1809. There he 
followed the carpenter's trade, but in i8n 
he removed to Bloom township and wias one 
of the most prominent and influential men 
• if that early day, being- the advisor of the 
entire neighborhood. He was a hard-work- 
ing, energetic man. possessed sound comi- 
moui sense, was reliable in all life's relations 
and trustworthy in friendship. In early life 
he had been a slave owner in Virginia, but 



so 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Iil)erate(l liis Ixuulsnien ami came to Ohin. 
His pivlitical support was given to tlie \\ liig 
party. 

Sanuiel Coinian. tlie grandfather of cmr 
subject, was the only son of John Cofnian. 
and he. ti>o. was iilentitied with the pioneer 
development of Fairtield ctHuity. He was 
l)<)rn ill Rixkingham county, \'irginia, and 
in i8o() liecame a resident of Lancaster. 
Ohio. He learned the caqienter"s trade and 
in connection with his Imilding iiiterests also 
carried on agricultural pursuits. He like- 
wise taught schcK)l and later was engaged 
in the nursery business. When a lx\v he 
had been lx)und c>ut to a man b\ the name 
of Carpenter and under his direction had 
learned the carpenter's trade. He was verv 
energetic and industrious and his knowledge 
of the building industry enabled him to 
bring jijs talents to advantage on his own 
account and iceep everything about the 
place in excellent condition. He to > voted 
the Whig ticket. In early manlux)d he 
wedded Mary .\llen, who died in 1841 at 
the age of thirty-two years. Seven chil- 
dren were born unto them, but Henry Cof- 
nian, the father of our sujbect, is the only 
one now living. Samuel Cofman was com- 
missioned second lieutenant in the Mexi- 
can war and was an excellent military dti- 
cer. He was identified witli the Methodist 
Episcopal church on the circuit of Lock- 
ville. Jefferson and Rock Mill, and after- 
ward became a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church at Carroll. In politics he 
took quite an active part as a supporter of 
the Republican party and Avas elected as 
township trustee for several years and as 
justice of the peace. He was born in iSi i 



and died in 1883. having sjjent the greater 
part of his life in Bloom township'. In his 
Ixiyhood he had been bound out to a man 
by the name of Lancaster. His father estab- 
lished the first nursery business in central 
Ohio, beginning operations along that line 
in 1S44. He carried on the nursery busi- 
ness until 1873 and was then succeeded by 
Benjamin Cofman. a half brother of Henry 
Cofman, who. however, had Ijeen practically 
the manager since 1864. At the age of sev- 
enteen years Benjamin Cofman enlisted on 
the 15th of August, 1861, for a three years' 
service in the Civil war, becoming a member 
of Company A, First Ohio Infantry. He 
l)articipated in many important Ixittles and 
at the expiration of his temi of service re- 
ceived an honorable discharge, on the 15th 
of .\ugust. 1864. at Chattanooga, Tennes- 
see. Although he was in so many engage- 
ments he was nc\er wounded and always 
escaped capture. He then took up the nurs- 
ery business in connection with his father, 
continuing it until tb.e fall of 1874. when 
he purchased a fanu and for some years 
was identified with agricultural pursuits in 
Blocm township. He was a nieml:)er of the 
Crand Anuy of the Republic and of the 
MetlKxlist Epi.scopal church. He was mar- 
ried December 31. 1869. to Rebecca H. 
Holderman. of Fairfield county, and to them 
w ere hirn three children : Arthur .\.. 
R;dph W". and Zadi Dee Blanche. 

Henry Cofman, the father of our snl.- 
ject. was born in Jefferson, Blooin ti wn- 
shi]). in 183J. and for many years was iden- 
tified with merchandising, carrying on busi- 
ness in Carroll from i860 until 1884, dur- 
ing which time he enjoyed a verv extensive 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



51 



patronage. On retiring from c<jmmercial 
pursuits lie t( ol< up his abode in Bloom, his 
present fanr. in Lloom township adji lining 
the hcvme of our subject. He was married 
on the 2d of August. 1857, to Miss Mary J- 
Lamb. Both were natives of this ciunty 
and the marriage was here celel>rated. They 
became the parents nf nine cliildren. si.x of 
whom are yet living: William R., Samuel 
I'.. George. John. Kate and Cora. Those 
who liave ]iassed awa_\' are as follows : 
Laura, the wife ><\ Jnhn C. Fellows: Xoah; 
and Rachel. 

Mr. Co f man attended the ]jublic schools 
ami wa.s reared u\vm the home farm of his 
father in Blonni township. It was there 
that his birth cL'curred nn the 19th of Oc- 
toljer. 1862. At the usual age he entered 
school, contir.uing his studies until he had 
gained a good knowledge of the l)ranches 
•of English learning, and upon his father's 
farm lie receixed ample training in the work 
of held and meadow, this however, equip- 
ping him for the duties of farm life. On 
the 23d of March 1884, Mr. Cofman was 
united in marriage to Miss Chloe ]\I. 
Zaayer. a daughter of ^^'illiam and Isabella 
Zaayer, of Bloi^im township. Her father 



was a leading farmer ^ji this county. The 
family is of Gemian descent and Mr. Zaayer 
possesses many of the stei'Hng character- 
istics of his German ancestry. He is still 
living in Bloom township, at the advanced 
age of seventy-eight years. His wife died 
at the age of se\entv years. Unto ?kJr. ami 
Mrs. Cofman ha\e been born seven chil- 
dren: Dora E.. Xellie B.. Frank M., 
^lar}- I., Clara S. and Ruthie Fay, all of 
whom are at home, and Helen M.. who died 
at the age of one year and six nronths. Oc- 
tober iC), 1900. 

]\tr.' Cofman located u]xin his ])resent 
farm in the spring of 1887. Here he has 
one hundred and eighteen acres of good 
land, upon which is a new residence, also 
barns and substantial outbuildings. He has 
placed three hundred and fifty rods of tiling 
on his land and planted an orchard contain- 
ing five hundred fruit trees. Everything 
about the place is neat and thrifty in appear- 
ance, indicating the careful su])er\-ision of 
the owner. He is most energetic an<l pro- 
gressive in bis work, is thoroughly familiar 
with the most modern methods of farming 
and is quick to utilize anv new idea adx'anced 
that will prove of practical value. 



VALENTINE HOOKER. 



Germany has furnished to the L'nited progressive methods, livelier competition and 

Slates many bright, enterprising young men advancement more quickly secured. .Among 

who have left the fatherland to enter tho the numlier is \'alentine Hooker. He has 

business circles of this country with its m.-irc somewhat of the strong, rugged and [)erse- 



52 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



vering charaxrteristics dexeloped l.y lli■^ 
earlier eiivinnunents, whiclr. coupled with 
the livelier imipulses of the Teutonic hlo<il 
ot his ancestors, niade him at an early day 
seek wider field in which to gi\e full scope 
to his ambition and' industry — his dominant 
qualities. He iotmd the opportunities he 
sought in the freedom and appreciation of 
this country. Though i)oni across the water 
he is thoroughly American in thought and 
feeling, and is patriotic and sincere in his 
love for the stars and stiipes. His career 
is identified with the histi ry of Fairfield 
county, where he has accpiired a competence 
and wdiere he is an honored and resj^ected 
citizen. 

Mr. HrK)lcer is a native of Baden, Ger- 
many, his hirth ha\ nig (occurred near Heid- 
ellierg on the iSth of Decem'ber. 1842. His 
parents were (leorge and Anna Mary 
(Zenrick) ITooker. The father was also 
a native of the localitx- in which our 
subject w^as born and for niany years 
enga.ged in business as a brewer and dis- 
tiller, spending his entire life in his na- 
tive country. In the family were six 
children, of whom five are \et living, and 
all of this munber came to America witli 
the exception of one — Catherine, who re- 
sides in Germany. Elizabeth is the widow 
of John W. Bans. Charles is a resident of 
Lancaster. Christina is the wife of Philip 
Muler, of New 'V'ork city. George, wIk) w as 
a resident of Lancaster, died in 1895. 

In accordance with the laws of the fa- 
therland. \'ak'niiiK' 1 looker attended the 
public schix>ls, and on ])nttiiig a>i(le his text- 
Ixjoks, he was a]xi>renticed to leani the trade 
of a 'itone cutter. Hearing favorable rc- 



l>(irts of the business opix>rt unities of the 
L'nited States he determined to seek a home 
beyond the Atlantic and after arriving in 
New York city ma<le his way direct to Lan- 
caster, Ohio. Here he engaged in stone cut- 
ting, in building and contracting, working 
mostly in free stone. He has constructed 
many of the foundations of the business 
blocks, dwellings, churches and factories of 
Lancaster and his efficiency in the line of 
his chosen vocation secures to him a liberal 
patronage. He continued an acti\e factor 
in that department of industry until 1884 
when he was apix>inted superintendent of 
the Forest Rose cemetery and was made 
secretary of the board, which responsible 
jiosition he still fills. His efficient service 
lias 'been the means of continuing him in 
office through the various administrations. 
The companv has provided him with a com- 
fortable and well equip])ed office in which 
he transacts his Inisiness. He has made the 
city of the dead most beautiful, its api>ear- 
ance indicating his care and close attention. 
In 1865 Mr. HfK>ker was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Nettie J. Murray, of Lancas- 
ter, a daughter of George W. and Mary 
Murray. Mrs. Hr>oker and her parents 
were natives of Fairfield county, her grand- 
parents having removed to Ohio from Ne\v 
Ynvk. The marriage of our subject and his 
wife has been blessed with three children: 
Xettie C, Katie E., who is the wife of 
Marion Hankison, of Lancaster, ant! has 
tliree children: Xettie C. William J. and 
Mar.garet: and William M.. who is a car- 
jientcr in the building business in Lancaster. 
Mr. Hooker and his family are worthy 
nicin' 1 i-N . f St. retor"-; E\rmsrelical church 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



53 



taking- \ery active and beneficial interest in 
its work. For a c^uarter of a century ]\Ir. 
Hooker has teen superintendent of the Sun- 
day school and he is fraternally connected 
with Mount Pleasant Lodge, No. 48, K. 
of P. The hope that led hinii to leave his 
nati\-e land and seek a home in America has 
beai more tlian realized. He found the on- 



portunities he sought, wliich, l;v the war, 
are always open tO' the ambitious, energetic 
man. and making the best of these he has 
steadil}- worked his way up^^■ard. He pos- 
sesses the resolution, perseverane and relia- 
bility so characteristic of the people of his 
nation, and his name is now enrolled among- 
the liest citizens of Fairtield county. 



SAMUEL C. BLACK. 



Among the worth}- residents of Fairfield 
county who claim the Emerald Isle as thx- 
land of their birth is Samuel C. Black, 'wlii> 
is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Berne 
township. He was bom in Ireland on the 
4th of December, 1826. His father, Will- 
iam Black, was also a nati\-e of that country, 
born in the latter part mf the eighteenth cen- 
tur}-, and in the schools of Ireland he ac- 
quired his education, but his privileges were 
limited owing to the primitive conditions 
which then existed' in school woirk. .\fter 
putting" aside his text-bnoks he ser\-etl an 
apprenticeship at the weaver's trade, learn- 
ing the methods of manufacturing fine Irish 
linen. He followed that pursuit, together 
with farming until 1837, when belie\ing 
that he wnuld ]ia\'e better business oipjiKir- 
tunities in the new world, he crossed the 
Atlantic to the L'nited States, accompanied 
by iiis wife and three sons and a daug-hter. 
Here he joined his father, who had emi- 
grated }-ears befnre, ci;ming in 1790. Mr. 



Black had Ijeeu marrieil to ^liss Jane ]Mc- 
Cloy, a native of Ireland, and they became 
the parents of four children. Rcibert, the 
eldest, is living three miles east of Bremen. 
Mary became the wife of John S. Martin, of 
Hocking county, and has eight children: 
George, William, Albert, Frapk, Jennie, 
Emma, Matilda and ^Margaret, \3amuel C. 
is the subject of this review. Janiies, a res- 
ident of jMissouri, completes the family. In 
his political views the father of this family 
was a stanch Democrat frnm the time he 
became a naturalized citizen luitil iSoi, In 
that year be joined the ranks of the Republi- 
can party and remained one of its stalwait 
supporters until his death. His religious 
I'aith was that nf the Presbyterian clun-cii. 
In the schools of Ireland Sanuicl C. 
Black obtanied his early education which he 
continued in the new world. The family 
settled nn the cunnty line of Fairfield coun- 
ty. .Xt'ter laying- aside his texl-biinks he 
g-a\e liis entire attention lo the work of the 



\ 



54 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



home n.nii. a tract of one hundred and 
twenty atTcs of land, lie was thus em- 
ployed until 1858 whai he removed to Kan- 
sas and purchased a farm which he owned 
and o])erated for seventeen years. He then 
sold that proi>erty and returned to Fairfield 
county, where he has since remained. His 
pur|)osc in ranoving to the west was to as- 
sist in making Kansas a free state and he 
]iut fcM-th every effort in that direction. He 
served as a memher of the Kansas legisla- 
ture in 1862 and was a most prominait and 
inllncntial citizen of his district. 

In 1835 occurred the marriage of Sam- 
uel C. Black and Miss Mary Jane Stuart, a 
native r.i Rush Creek townshi|). Fairfield 
county, and unto them were horn six chil- 
<lren : ( 1 ) Fnmia is now the wife of Frank 
P>. Ill user, of Lancaster, Ohio, and they 
have seven children, Stanley, Earl, Leila, 
Jennie. I-'dith, Cecil and .\li])ie. (2) Ida is 
deceased. (3) Lsahelle is the wife of H. 
AL Shclhamer. of Bremen. I4) Robert, also 



a resident of lirenien, married Alice Lutz. 
and they have one child. Don-thy. (5) 
Mary has passed away. (0) George, ii<)w 
living in Chicago. Blinois, marrie<l Ella 
("annon. and they have the following chil- 
dren: (ieorge. Howard. Lawrence and 
Marcella. .\fter the death of his first wife 
Mr. Black was again married in 1874. his 
second imion l)eing with Mrs. Catherine 
jjeery. a native of Berne township. Both 
lie and his wit'e attend the Preshyterian 
ciiurch of Lancaster. 

Mr. Black is a stalwart advocate of Re- 
publican jjrinciples. Init liie honors and emol- 
uments ci office have no attraction fttr him. 
In a summar\- of his career we note that 
the .salient features of his life record are 
enterprise, industry and imfaltering devo- 
tion to wihatever he believes to be right. 
His diligence and capable management ha\ e 
been the means of ])ringing to him a fair de- 
gree of success antl he is now accoimtecl one 
of the leading asfricultiuMsts of this countv. 



THOMAS H. DOLSON. 



rerh;i])s the most dislinguisheil criminal 
lawyer of tliis part of Ohio is Thunias H. 
Dolson. of Lancaster, whose reputation is 
not limited by the confines of this state but 
extends into other states where his services 
have hciMi sought. In the profession of law 
one must depend entirely upon individual 
merit for advancement, strong mentality. 



close application, ambition and determined 
purpose are the concomitants of success at 
the bar and when prestige has been won it is 
unmistakable evidence of the possession of 
these (jualities. Conferring honor an<l dig- 
nity ui)on the profession which has honored 
him. his course has ever been such as up- 
holds the maiestv of the law and his his- 




THOMAS H. DOLSON 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 57 

tory therefare should form no unini|x:)rtant ezer Dolson was Ijorn and reared in this 

chapter in the judicial annals of this dis- state, early becoming familiar with the w(irk 

trict. that falls to the lot of the agriculturist, and 

o^Ir. Dolson is a native of Ohio, his birth after attaining his majority began farming 

having occurred in AlcConnelsville, Mor- on his own account. For many years he en- 

gan county, on the 22nd lof November, gaged in the tilling of the soil and in rais- 

1S51. his parents being Ebenezer B. and jng stock in Morgan county, Ohio, and is 

Hulda (vStevenson) Dolson, the former a now living in Kansas. 

native of Ohio and the latter of Virginia. The early boyhood days of Thomas H. 
His ancestr>-, both direct and collateral for Dolson were spent in a manner not unlike 
many generations has been distinctively that of most boys of the period. The pub- 
American, and in the civil and mihtary his- He schools of Morgan county afforded him 
tory of the country the name of Dolson his early educational jirivile.ges and later he 
figures conspicuously. In every war in took a course in the high school in Logan, 
which the country has been engaged rep- Ohio, where he he was graduated with the 
resentatives of the name have battled for class of 1868. Immediately afterward he 
the rights and liberties of the nation and the entered upon his Inisiness career in the ca- 
great-great-grandfather of our subject was pacity of bookkeeper in the mercantile es- 
one of the heroes of the Revolution who tablishment of his brother-in-law, H. S. 
fought under the command of General Berry, at Cameron, Missouri, where he re- 
^\"ashington from 1776 until 1783. The mained for two years. In 1870 he returned 
granil father of :\Ir. Dolson served in the to Ohio and wishing to enter professional 
Mexican war. and as quartermaster of the life became a law student in the office of 
First Ohio Heavy Artillery his father. Judge Martin, of Lancaster, who directed 
Ebenezer B. Dolson, rendered his country his reading for two years. Successfully 
effective aid from 1862 until 1865. At an pa.ssing an examination before the supreme 
early day in the history of New York the court, in December, 1873. he was admitted 
Dolsons resided in that state and it was the to the bar and at once established an office 
grandfather of our sul.)ject who founded the in Lancaster. Nature bountifully endowed 
family in Ohio, establishing his home in him with the peculiar qualifications that 
-Muskingum county in the early part of the combine to make a successful lawyer. Pa- 
nmeteenth century. He ]jurchased large tientiv persevering, possessed of an ana- 
tracts of land in Muskingtun county and lytical mind, and one that is readily recep- 
m that portion (:if the state which afterward tive and retentive of the fundamental prin- 
became Perry county, and took a prominent ciiilcs and intricacies of the law : gifted with 
pnrt in developing the industries of that a si)irit of devotion to wearisome details; 
portion of the state leading to its substan- (piick to comprehend ibe most subtle jirol)- 
tial develoinnent and improvement. ]'-.bcn- Icms and logical in his conclusions; fear- 



58 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



less in the advocacy of any cause he may 
espouse, and tlie soul of honor and integrity, 
few men have Ijeen more riclily gifted for 
the achievement of success in the arduous 
bnd difficult profession of the law. In 
1875 he formed a partnership with Levi 
Hite, a prominent attorney of the Fairfield 
county har. and this relation was maintained 
until Mr. llite's removal to Columhus in 
18S7. Since that time Mr. Dolson has been 
alone in practice. He served for four years 
as prosecuting attorney of Fairfield county, 
from 1876 until 1880, and tiien retired, Imt 
his successor died sliortly after entering 
upon the duties of the office and Air. Dolson 
was then appointed to fill the unexpired 
term, so that he served for nearly two years 
longer. Il'is course was one deserving and 
winning high commendation, for neither 
fear nor fa\-iir caused him to swerve from 
the strict path of duty. His ability as ;i trial 
lawvcr led t<» the winning of many of the 
suits which he tried in the courts. During 
his twcnty-t^u-ee years' practice at the bar 
of this and other states Mr. Dolson has 
built up a very fine law business that covers 
a wide scope of territory. In the local 
cnurts his practice is general, but in the 
surrounding counties and other states it is 
exclusively criminal, mostly for the defense. 
Perhaps Mr. Dolson has been engaged in a 
greater numl)er of criminal ca.ses than any 
other lawvcr nl his age in the state of Ohio. 
Among the notable cases which have at- 
tracted general ;itlcntii;n. in which lie ap- 
peared for the defense as liie leading advo- 
cate, was that of tiie stale of Montana 
versus . the defendant h.iv- 



ing Ijeen charged with miu"der in the first 
degree, but he was acquitted by the jury.. 
Another was in the state of Illinois versus 
David Miller, charged with the murder of 
A. B. Diamon. the mayor of Areola, whom 
he shot and killed because of some family 
trouble. This case was prosecuted with 
vigor by the state and Mr. Dolson had to 
combat the ablest lawyers of central Illi- 
nois, among whom was the Hon, Horace S. 
Clark, a man of high reputation as a crim- 
inal lawyer. After a trial of several days'' 
duration Miller was acr|uitted. He has alsa 
appeared in defense of men charged \\ith 
high crimes in the states of Indiana and 
California and alway.s with success. Mr. 
Dolson has appeared on one side or the 
other of every important criminal case tried 
in Fairfield county during the past fifteen 
\ears and in many of those in adjoining 
counties. In the case of the state of Ohio 
\ersus Napier, charged with murder, Mr. 
Dolson was appointed l>y the late Judge 
Hoffman, of Perry county, to assist in the 
]irosecution. The defendant was convicted. 
In his professional career Mr. Dolson has 
l)een, most successful not only in gaining 
verdicts desired, but also fn^n a financial 
stauKlpoint as well, and has been enabled to 
surroimd his family with the comforts and 
many of the luxuries of life. 

In 1876 Mr. Dolson was united in mar- 
riage to Miss .Mida Reinmund. a daughter 
of 15. F. and Ts.abelle (.\rnold) Reinmund, 
of Isiirfield couiUy, and a sister of Henry 
J. Reinmund, insurance commissioner im- 
der Governor lloadley. Mr. and Mrs, Dol- 
son ha\'e fi'ur children, two si>ns and two 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



S9 



daughters. The family attend the EngHsh 
Lutheran church, of which Mr. Dolson is a 
member. In his pohtical aiifihations he is a 
Democrat. He was nominated Ijy his party 
for the state senate to represent the ninth 
and fourteenth senatorial districts, but was 
defeated with the remainder of the ticket. 
Perhaps the best summary of liis hfe can 
be given in the words of an old and prom- 
inent member of the Lancaster bar, who 
said : "While Mr. Dolson does a general 
law business in the local courts, his practice 
runs largely to criminal cases, and in this 
peculiar line he has quite a wide reputation. 
He is adapted by nature for this kind of 
work. He is shrewd, quick to see the weak 
points of his opponents and aggressive in 
availing himself of every advantage pre- 
sented in the trial of a case. He has a good 
voice, an extensive vocabulary, and on his 
feet before the jury he makes an effective 
address. He is the best talker, perhaps, at 
this bar, but not the best read lawyer. If 
his earlv education had been commensurate 



with his natural abilities as a lawyer his ad- 
vancement would ha\e Ijeeo more rapid. He 
came to the bar here early in the 'seventies, 
and has improved his opportunities so well 
that he now ranks with the leading attor- 
neys of the district. His reputation as a 
criminal lawyer is well established in this 
section of the state, and he has been called 
to widely diverging points to defend Ohio 
citizens charged with the violation of the 
criminal codes of different states. He has 
been remarkably successful and has crossed 
swords with some able men in this line of 
practice. Another feature that has contrib- 
uted to his success is that he has confined 
himself entirely to his profession and is a 
worker. He has not neglected his law prac- 
tice for politics or any other business. He 
gives his clients his best efforts and is a trust- 
worthy and reliable lawyer. He is held in 
high estean both by the legal profession and 
in the community, and by the public where 
he is known." 



ENOCH BRIGHT. 



When tra\-el 1>y team, and wagon, (jii a son of Da\i(I Bright, who- was born in the 

horseback or b\- means of the waterways year 1710. He entered land trnm the gov- 

of the countr)- — long before the era of rail- cniment in JJerks county. PeiinsyK ania. and 

roads — the Bright familv was established in llie property is still in the jioissession of his 

Fairfield county. The paternal grandpar- descendants. He lived and died in Berks 

ent.s of our subject were Joint and .\nna county, followed the occu]Wition of farming 

Maria ( Leiss) Bright, and the former was tin-oughnut the years of his acti\-e liusinc<s 



•6o 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORn. 



career. He was tlie father of eight chi!- 
chen, iiicliuhiijj Jolin Briglit, tlie grandfa- 
ther I if i,ur subject. I'hc latter came to Fair- 
field count}' in tiie early years of the nine- 
teenth century. Much of the land was still 
in ])osscssion if the goxernment and he en- 
tered a claim on sections 29 and 30 in Lib- 
erty township, after which he relurnetl to 
I'ennsyhania. where he (lied. lie had a 
son, 1 )a\id, who, coming to l-'airheld coun- 
ty, Ohio, spent his last days in Greenfiebl 
township. 

John Hright. Jr., the father \.i i;ur snih 
ject, was born in IJerks cnuntx', Pennsyi- 
^•ania, on the ytli of January, 1787. Some- 
where between J 808 and 1812 he came to 
Ohio, settling ui>on the land which had been 
piu'chased by his father, lie made a )oiir 
ney ^on liorseback o\er roads that were 
scarcely more than Indian' trails in places. 
After a time he returned to ]'enns)lvania. 
where he was married, bringing bis wife 
willi him to his new home upon the western 
frontier, riiey took up their abode in Lib- 
erty township, spending the remainder of 
their day.s within its borders, honored and 
res]>ected jiioneer i)eopk', acti\ely connectcii 
with farming interests of ( )hi(i. John 
Bright, the father of our subject, was draft- 
ed for service in the war of 181 2, but fur- 
nished a substitute, feeling that liis lirst duty 
was to bis familv and that be must piep;nc 
for their comfort and welfare before augbl 
else. Jle built a gristmill and also a sa\\ - 
mill upiiu his farm upon the banks of the 
Poplar creek. lie cleared many acres of 
land, placed splendid improvements upon 
his pro])erty ;md develo])ed one of the ^Ijest 
farms in the tn-wnsbiu. .\s bis cai)ital in 



creased he added t(j his property until at 
the time of his death, which cccurred in the 
year 1853, he w"is the owner of seventeen 
hundretl acres of land, nearly all of which 
lay in I'airfield county. He deserved great 
credit for what he accomplishe<l'. owing his 
prosperity entirely to his well directed and 
indefatigable efforts. He wtis united in 
marriage to Hannah ("lauer, wbn pni\-ed to 
liim a faitliful companion and helpmate for 
a number of years, but was then called to 
her final rest, leaving four cliildran. who 
reached years of maturity, although all arc 
now deceased. These were Mary, who be- 
cause the wife of Jolm Swartz: Hester, the 
wife of Alexander Miller: Susanna, the wife 
of Daniel Langwell ; and Peter, .\fter the 
death of his lirst wife John llrigbt was 
again married, his second union being with 
Elizabeth Myers, and unto them were horn 
three children, the eldest being Enoch, of 
this review. The others are Hannah, the 
widow of Henry Langwell. and John, who 
resides in Haltimx.'re, Ohio. The parents 
were manbers of the Ivvangelical church, 
were dee])ly interested in its work and con- 
tributed in n(^ small mcisnrc to the growth 
and upbuilding (if the church. Oftentimes 
camp meetings were held upon their farm 
and Mr. Bright was one of the most liberal 
contributors to the cause of Christianitv in 
ibis liic;iliiy. His political sup])ort was giv- 
en to the Democracy, and though bis busi- 
ness .iffairs made he;ivy demands uixm his 
time, be always found op])ortunity to faith- 
fully discbarge his duties of citizenship and 
co-o|»ei"atc in all mnvemcnts for the general 



good. 



'.ni ic 



■b r.rigbt. whii is .m honnred repre- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



6e 



sentative of one of the [(idiiiinent pioneer 
families of the county, was Ijorn in Liberty 
townsliip u|)on a farm, which he yet owns. 
January 3, J<^30. He is now liNint^' retired, 
however, and his home is in Baltinwjre. He 
pursued his education in one of tlie old time 
log school houses commonly seen upon the 
frontier, hut his ach'antat^es in that direc- 
tion were somewhat meager, iov at an 
early age he found it necessary to assist his 
father in the work of the home farm and in 
the operation of the saw and grist milN. 
He earl)^ learned the \'alue of industry, en- 
terprise and econumy in the acti\-e affairs 
of life and the lessons g'ained in early youth 
pro\-ed of \-alue to hinj as the years passed. 
He remained at home until twenty vears of 
age, at which time he was given two hun- 
dred and fourteen acres of land hv his fa- 
ther and began farming on his own account. 
As a companion and helpmate for the 
journey of life ]\Jr. Bright chose IMiss Lou- 
isa Yager, the marriage being celelirated 
July 25, 185J. when he was twenty-two 
years of age. She is a native of Schnvl- 
kill county, Pennsylvania, and during her 
eaily girlhood slie was brought to Fairfield 
county ])y her parents. The young coujilc 
began their domestic life uijon the farm 
which liad been given them and as lime 
pas.sed the land was cultixated and im])roivcd 
and placed under a high state of cuIti\ation. 
There the family lived for nearly half a cen- 
tury, l)ut in the spring of 1902 removed to 
Kaltimore. where Mr. I'jright now! makes 
his home in the enjoyment of a well earned 
rest, the fruits of his former toil supplying- 
hin!| with all the necessaries and many of tlic 
conifoits and lu.\m-ies of life, lie was a 



\'ery in(kistri(,ais and energetic agricultmdst 
and his farm in its neat and thrifty appear- 
ance alwax's indicated his carcfid supcr\is- 
ion. He erected there a nice home, gond 
barns and onthnildings and everything 
aibout the i)lace was kept in excellent condi- 
tion. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Eright was 
lilessed with ele\en children, eight of uliom 
reached years of maturity: Mahala is 
the wife of L)a\id Alt, cA llaltimore, and 
they have two children, Maude and Burl; 
Lla is the wife of .\. Hansberger. b\- whom 
she has two children, Dolly and Ijeidah ; 
Tillman (j., who- resides upon his father's 
farm and is married and has four children, 
Maude, Xolla. Floyd and Julia; Mildred E. 
resides in Union county. Ohio ; Elmer is a 
resident of Lancaster: Harlev H. is living 
in Liljerty township' on the old homestead; 
Dolly is at home with her father; Miimie is 
the wife of Elmer Bailey and they lia\e two 
children, Mary and ^Lirtha. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bright were memijers of 
the United Evangelical church for many 
years, and Mrs. Bright died in that faith on 
tlie 17th (if Fcliruary, 1901, her remains lie- 
ing interred in the old family burving- 
ground r^ea'r her husband's farni. Mr. 
Bright has ever 'been faithful as a citizen 
and loyal to the best i;iterests of the conntx', 
state and nation, n anifesting his fidelity to 
his country during the time 1. f the Civil war, 
enlisting in May. 1864. as a men-r:>er of the 
(Jne llmidred and Sixtieth Regiment of 
(.)hii> X'ohmteers, being nmsterred in at 
Zancsvillc. After the expiration of his 
three months' termi he was nnistered cnit at 
the same ]ilace September 7. He is now a 



62 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



member of Cupi> Post, Ci. A. R.. of Balti- 
m;ore. W'liile his life lias been (juietly passed. 
unmarked by many events oi exciting inter- 
est, he has always l>een found as one of wIki 
has due regard for the obligations <;f citi- 
xenshii) and to the duty which he owes to 



his fellow nten. During his long residence 
in Fairfield county, covering the period of 
his entire life, he has continually ailded to 
the circle if his friends l.y reas( n of his 
sterling worth. 



WILLIAM J. REESE. 



Willian' J. Reese was a pmniineiu lac- 
tor in the history of Lancaster for many 
years. Here he practiced law. was con- 
nected with merchandising and journalis- 
tic interests, and contributed largely to the 
general welfare by his co-operation in many 
mo'vements for the general gc-od. He pro 
moted public progress along many lines and 
his efforts in behalf of the city made bis 
liistorv an in\portant chapter in the annals 
of this section of the state. 

William J. Reese was Ixirn on the .v' "' 
August. iScq, in the city of Philadelphia. 
imi\ there be accpiired a lil>eral education. 
Wishing to make the practice of law his 
life work, lie studied and was eventually ad- 
mitted to the bar. The year icSj^ witne.-seil 
his arrival in Lancaster. At that lime a 
yeiir's residence was demanded before one 
could enter upon active practice here and 
when the reipiisite period had elapsed. Mr. 
l^eese o|)eneil ;ni office and began i)ractice. 
Hie was a cultm-ed. relined and brilliant 
young attorney, with a mind alert and ac- 
tive, ipiick in ])erce])tion, logical in thought 



and sound in reasoning. He had soon 
demonstrated his ability to han(!le the intri- 
cate ])roil)lenTS of jurisprudence and success- 
fully cope with the older and more experi- 
eticed members of the bar, and in a short 
time he had a large and growing clientage, 
bill bis effoits were m^t ci nlined to one de- 
partment of business activity. In 1K29 be 
joined Samuel F. Maccracken in establish- 
ing a drv goods store in Xewark. This 
store was ])laced in charge of Daniel Dun- 
can, who b,ad been one of Mr. M.accrack- 
en's clerks, and to him. in iS,^-'. Mr. Reese 
sold bis interest in the business. In the same 
vear he ];ui chased an interest in the Lan- 
caster ( iazette. in partnership with Charles 
liorland. l:i!l when a year li;itl passed he de- 
'cided thai be did in I care for journalistic 
work and disposed of his share in the pajier 
to ColcMiel P. Van 'i'lump. Merchandis- 
ing was to him more congenial and in i8'3J 
he ])iucbasel the interest of Henry Mat- 
the\v> an<l |oe ibittles in the dry g»x)ds stix'k 
of Henry .Matthews &• (■(-mi)any. of which 
firm Thon-as Reed w;is a member, and the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



63 



luisiness was then cniitinued under the firm 
nam^e (.f Thomas Keetl & Company until 
I\larcli, 1838, when (leneral Reese cHsposed 
of his interest lo !\Iessrs. Culljertson and 
Nye. On the i3tli of November, T83S, 
Da\-i(l Ro'lcohl piirchased a third interest and 
the fimii 'then became Culbertson, 'Nye & 
Rokohl. In the year 1843 General Reese 
removed to Philadelphia, where, in comnec- 
tioii with John Heylin, he opened a johbhig 
honse, but after a few years it was found 
that the enterprise was unprofitable. His 
health also failed' him and he returned \o 
Lancaster, where he lived in retirement un- 
til his death]. 

Mr. Reese was united in marriage to the 
eldest daughter of Judge Charles R. Sber- 
man and in the days of his prosperity he 
erected one of the finest and most commo- 
dious luauics in Lancaster. He was alst) a 
prominent and influential citizen here an:\ 
his efiforts in behalf of the public good were 
widely recognized as most beneficial and ac- 



ce])tal)le. He was the captain of a fine mili- 
tary company at one time and was serving 
as brigadier general of the Ohio State Mi- 
litia at the time be remioved to Philadelphia. 
For several years be was secretary of the 
boartl of fund coanmissiou for the state of 
Ohio and bis official service was character- 
ized b'V the utmost fidelity. He was an en- 
thusiastic Mason and the author of the pres- 
ent ritual. He succeeded Judge Sherman as 
master of the Masonic lodge in Lancaster 
and his prominence in Masonic ciicles is in- 
dicated by the fact that for eight years he 
was the giand master vA the grand lodge of 
Ohio. -V charter member of St. J(jhn's 
Episcopal church, lie was zealous and en- 
thusiastic in its ])ebalf and bis iuMuence in 
that direction was of no restricted order. 
He aided in laying broad and deep the foun- 
dation for the presen.t social, moral, intel- 
lectual and material benefit of I^ancaster 
and well does he deserve to I;)e numbered 
among its honored pioneer settlers. 



WILLIAM HUFFORD. 



The name of Hufford has been closely 
interwoven with the history of Fairfield 
county. Throughout the nineteenth cen- 
tury its representatives lived in this por- 
tion oif the state and oiu" subject is now ac 
ti\ely carrying on farm wiork and bearing 
his i>art in the task of iniprovemetit and pro- 
gress, which was begun so many years ago 



by his ancestors. His great-grandfather, 
Casper Hufford, was of (ierman descent and 
in 1801 came to Ohio, settling- on Raccoon 
creek. He afterward removed farther . up 
the creek, where be owned land, reclaiming 
the wild land for jnu^poses of ci\ilizatiou. 
He died in November, 1825, and was buried 
upon his farm. He had m'arried Miss Stab- 



64 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lev, wiio was of (iernian ilescent and died *>iie work uf the fields. Me had to tramp 

in 1840, her death also occurrinj? upon the and clean whole crops of wheat in this way. 

vk\ family liomestead, at which time she was Unite early in life he hegan farming on his 

laid to rest by the side uf her husband. own account his father deeding him eighty 

Their son, Solonmn llurf..rd. the gi-and- acres cf land. .Ms.) turning liis attention to 

father of ,.ur subject, was Ixn-n in R<Kk- tne nursery business he engaged in raising 

ingham county, Virginia, June 16, 1786, trees. He was very successful in his im- 

"11 1- ,.„„f. ,-^,i,,>o,i t,. f">hi.-. he dertakings and lucame well-to-do. Lpon 

antl when his parciUs lemoxca to vmuo nt .-^ 1 

• 1 .1 „ , c ^,„a ti.n^ 1-itpi- li<> (»i'- bis farm he luiilt a two-storv frame roi- 
accon^jjanied them, ^ome tune laiei nc ei. 

tered from the government land which is ^''ence and made many other improvement, 

now owned bv Emanuel Hufford, and there equipping his place with all modern acces- 

he developed 'rm excellent fa nil, making it ^""ies. in the year 1841 he was united m 

his home up to the time of his death, which marriage to Miss Hannah Stoncb.urner. a 

occurred in 1876, when he was in his ninety- I'.ative of Perry county. Obi... and they bc- 

hrst year. He m;irried .Miss Rebecca Hen- came the parents of fifteen children. Those 

drick. who was of German lineage and was >till living are as follows: Philip, a resi- 

born on bebruarv 17. 1789, ai Morrison's dent of Indiana: Emamiel. who is living in 

Cove, Pennsvhania. At a very early age Rush Creek townshi]). l-"airtield county: S-i- 

she came to Ohio with her father who en- sanne, the wife of (Jeorge Kufi. of P.remen, 

tered land on Jonathan's creek in Perry Ohio; Wilbani. \vho is living in Rush Creek 

county, where he built one of the first flour- township; Xoah. a resident of Kansas, his 

ini'- mills in the state and there he spent his Iiome being in Thayer, that state; Mary, the 

remaining days and uas actively con- wife of Bartlett Frie^incr, of Bremen. Ohio; 

nected with early industrial interests. ^Nlrs. Sarah, the wife of William Turner, also of 

Hufford. the grandmother of our subject, F.remen : Maggie, the wife of George I'.abl- 

departed ibis life in 1861 in the seventy-.sec- ing, of Bremen; Elias J., who is living in 

ond year of her age. By her marriage she Portland, Oregon; Ellen, the wife (»f M. S. 

had become tlu. mother of ten children. Stewart, of Bucyrns, Ohio. In ])olitics the 

Elias Hufforil, the father of our subject, father of this family was a DeiiK^-rat in 

was lK>rn .\ugust 17, J 81 8, about one mile matters of national imi>i>rtance but at local 

from the home of William Hufford. He ac- elections he voted for the man whom he 

rpiired liis early education in an old-time log tiiought best <|ualified for the p(*sitioii. I le 

school house and was familiar with all the served as sujiervi.sor and was also director 

hardships and lalx>rs of pioneer life and with of schools. He held nieml)ershii) in the 

the primitive methods of doing work. l\c German Baptist church, dying in that fait'n 

had to cut wheat with a scythe and tramp it and was then laid to rest in Mt. Zion cem- 

out in the barn with horses. He went to etery. in Perry county, 

school about five or six weeks each year for \\illiam HnfYord.wh.ise name intro- 

the remainder of the vear he was busv with .Inccs this review, was born in Tb. eking 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



65 



county, Ohio, about four miles soutli of his 
present home. He acf[uired liis early edu- 
cation there and later contintied his studies 
in Fairfield county, attending scho<ils about 
four months each _\-ear. When he was twen- 
ty-one his education was completed and he 
began farming for his father, for whom he 
worked for aliout six years. Belie\'ing that 
lie would enjo}- living in the west he removed 
to Kansas, but remained only three months, 
returning then to Rush Creek township and 
purchasing land upon which he now resides. 
His farm consists of one hundred' and tw.) 
acres, all of which is under a high state i>f 
cultivation and he is successfvdlv carrying 
an agricultural pursuits. Everything about 
his place is neat and thrifty in appearance 
and his enterprise and industry ha\e been 
imqx.M'tant factors in the pro.'^perous coixhict 
of his business affairs. 

In 1874 William Hufford w'as united in 
marriage to Miss Mai7 Peer, a native of 
Hocking county, Ohio, and tmto them have 
been born the folloAving children : Edward, 
residing at home; Wright, alsoi at home: 



Ida, the wife O'f Ira McCullough, of Rush 
Creek township : Charlie. Arthur and Jim, 
who are yet under the paternal roof. 

Mr. Hufford has cleared consideralDJe 
land, for much of his farm was covered with 
timber \\hen he took ptissession of the prop- 
erty. He built a good home and barn and 
also added forty-fiA-e acres to his land. His 
is <ine of the creditable farms of the county 
and the passerby can see at a glance that the 
owner is progressive, practical and endiorses- 
modern improvoments. In politics lie has- 
followed in his father's footsteps, always 
\(iting- the Democratic ticket on questions of 
nationa'l importance, but at the local elec- 
tions he \'otes as he deents ack'isable. He 
has served as school director for a num- 
ber O'f vears and is interestetl in all that 
tends to promote the material, intellectual, 
social and mtoral progress of the comnuuiity. 
He belongs to' the German Baptist church 
and his Christian principles have so per- 
meated his life and molded his career that 
he is to-day a man liighly respected by all. 
who know him. ', 



JOHN GRAVETT. 



It is always a pleasure to see true merit 
suitably rewarded and to behold the pros- 
perity of those wbo eminently deser\'e it as 
does the subject of this review. At an 
early age he learned one of the great les- 
sons of life — that there is no royal road to 
wealth — and therefore he toiled indlistrioius- 



ly until he has won not only a snug little 
fortune but also' the esteem and confidence 
of the i>eople with whom be lias been asso- 
ciated for so many years. ^Vo'rk. the true 
friend of mankind, has developed bis latent 
resources and Ijrought out the strong self- 
reliant force of his character, and to-day he 



66 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



is accounted one of tlie pmsperous residents 
of l^ncaster, where he has long Ijeen pro- 
prietor of a fine greenhouse in conjunction 
with liis sun. liusiness Ijeing carried on under 
the tirni name ol Gravett & Son. 

Mr. (iravttt was horn on the I2th of 
Sei)t ember. 1826, in the village of Billing- 
hurst, county of Sussex. England. His fa- 
ther. Peter Ciravett, was also a native of 
that country and throughont his life de- 
voted his energies to the vexation of farm- 
ing, passing away in 1842. His wife, who 
1x>re tlie maiden name of Lucy Reeves, was 
also a native of the locality in which her 
husband was born. After his death she 
came with her children to the United States, 
settling in White county, Illinois, where she 
remained until called to her final rest in 
J 872. 

Having acquired his education in the 
public sch<^>ls of his native land, John Gra\- 
ett then became connected with the nursery 
business and also acquired a comlprehensive 
;ind accurate knowledge of the best methods 
ot cimducting a greenhouse and propagat- 
ing Howers and trees, having four years ex- 
jjerience in the business 1>efore he came to 
.\merica. The year 1850 witnessed his 
emigration to the new world. Attracted liy 
the broader opportunities and T)usiness pos- 
sibilities ijf this country he bade adieu to 
friends and native countr\- and sailed for 
America, l)efore the cuher members of the 
family left luigland. Jic landed at New 
^'ork \ml made his way direct to Buffalo 
and thence to Lancaster, Ohio, where he has 
since resided. Soon after his arri\al he 
])urchased six acres of land on I'last Wheel- 
ing street, pl.mtcd a mirsery and for sevenil 



vears conducted a general nursery business, 
but in 1864 he enlarged the scope of his la- 
bor by erecting and equipping a small greeu- 
liouse. .\s Ins business grew he enlarge! 
his facilities until he now has ten thousaml 
feet under ghuss. His flowers are of the 
choicest varieties and kiixls, 'his selection 
lieing made as tiie result of long ex|)erience 
in the busiriess. His son is a practical florist 
and the plants are always kept in a healthy 
conditic^n. From his care in this direction 
Mr. Gravett has l)uilt up a large and grow- 
ing business, and iiis trade has reached ex- 
tensixe proportions locally and also extends 
to the surrounding towns and villages, Avhile 
large shipments are made ti> Columbus. The 
greenhouse is heated throughout by hut 
water aufl all mi>dern equipments aiwl ac- 
cessories for carrying on the ibusiness have 
been added, for Mr. Gravett and his son 
are men of progressive ideas and keei> in 
touch with the advancement of the times. 
His sale of carnations and roses is con- 
stantly increasing in Goluni'lnis and he 
makes large shipniients of these flowers .it 
stated intervals. 

Before leaving his native land Mr. Gra\ ■ 
ett was uKU'ried in England, in 1849, to Miss 
Ann Mallars, who w'as iljorn in London an>l 
was a daughter of Thomas Mallars, a suc- 
cessful merchant there. This imion has liecn 
blessed with ten children and all iiave 
rejiched n^ature years. .\11 but one were 
born in this city and are as follows: Ella, 
the wife of W. ^\^ Brown, a resident of 
Denx'cr. Coloradi>; John, also a resident < t 
that state, who married a Miss Kagya. 
of I'airficld cor.nty. and is in the employ of 
the Denver & l\io Grande Knilroad, holding 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



67 



the position of agent at Salida ; Jennie, 
a ]>n)tessional nurse anil resides at home: 
Lucy, the wile of James A. Cary. of Deniop- 
oHs. Alabama: Anna, the wife of the Re\-. 
Judson Lamb, of Cleveland, Ohio; Etta, 
who married Arthur A. Walker, an attif- 
ney of Cincinnati. Ohio; Florence, the wile 
of Charles Zeisler, of Lancaster; George, 
at home, who is a nwjlder in the empkA' of 
the Hocking Valley Railroad; and Carrie, 
the wife of JSiilton McClane, who is em- 
ployed in a shoe factory in Lancaster. 

Since gaining' the right of franchise ]\L-. 
Gravett has supported the Democratic party 
and for tw^elve years he ser\'ed as a member 
of the school board of the city. For a simi- 
lar period he was a member of the Fairfieh! 
.Ag'ricultural Society and fraternally he is 
connected with Charity Lodge. L O. O. F. 
He belong-s to the Presbyterian church, ha.^ 
held nijost of the churcli (iffices and for the 
past thirty- five years has been one of its el- 
ders, doing all in his power to extend its 



inlluence. Llis residence is a substantial 
1,-rick structure, well furnished anti is situ- 
ated at No: 803 East Wheeling street. He 
Ihoroug-hly enjoys home life and takes great 
pleasu.re in the society of his family and 
frientls. He is always coiu'teous, kiu'dly and 
aflable and those who know him personally 
ha\'e for him warm regard. As has been 
truly remarked, after all that may be done 
Tor a man in tlie way of giving liimi early o])- 
])urtunities for obtaining the requirements 
which are sought in schools and in books, 
he must essentially formulate, determine and 
give shape tO' his own character ; audi this 
is what Mr. Gravett has done. He has per- 
severed in the pursuit of a persistent piu'- 
]M)se and gained the most satisfactory re- 
ward. His life is exemplary in many re- 
spects and he has ever supported those in- 
terests which are calculated to^ uplift antl 
benefit huniianiiy, while his own moral 
worth is deserving of the highest commend- 
ation. 



JACOB W. FENSTERMAKER. 



Jacob W. Fenstermaker, who' is filling 
the office of the justice of the peace in Car- 
roll, w'as bom in this county, October 25, 
1H22. His father, W'illianr Fenstermaker. 
was a native of Penmsylvania. his l>irth ha\- 
ing- occurred near Reading, whence he came 
with his parents to Ohio in 1808, the famlily 
locating- on a farm near Carroll, where a 
log cabin was erected and a blacksmith shop 



and it is claimed that in the smithy was man- 
ufactured the first ax ever made in this 
County. His grandfather w'as George 
Lenstermiaker. The father worked u\Kn\ the 
home farm in his youth and in the black- 
smith shop, and \vhen he started out in life 
for himself he chose as a companion and 
hel]>mate for the journey Miss Mary Mine- 
hart, who was liorn on a fann in Mifflin 



68 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



county. I'ennsylvania, neair Juniata river. 
Her father died leaxing a good estate to 
his widow and eight children. The motlier 
alter settling up the estate came to Ohio 
with her little ones, hoping that they would 
have good opixHtunities in the new country 
and she gave to each child a sufficient sum 
of money to purchase eighty acre.s of land. 
William Fenstermaker located his eighty 
acres north of Carroll on the northeast cor- 
ner of Violet township. Thereon he built 
a k>g cabin an<l a hlacksmith shop. The 
H(j<>r oi his pioneer iionie was made from an 
ash log and smoothed with an ax. The door 
was made in the same way and the boll- 
were fastened in with womlen pins, while the 
hinges were also ingeniously made of wood. 
There was a latch and to this was attached 
a rawhide string, which hung on the outside 
of the door through the hours of day and the 
nxeth(xl of locking the door was to pull the 
string on the inside. For fuel Mr. Fen- 
stermaker used charcoal, which he himseli 
burned, rriniitive were the conditions of 
life wliich existed, but as the years passed 
the ingenuity of the settlers and their en- 
teq)rising lalx>rs wrought many changes. 
W'ildl turkey were plentiful in those da\s 
and wolves were also numerous. Oiu" sub- 
ject relates that he has often seen his father 
oi)en the door just wide enough to put hi^ 
rifle through and sho<-)t Ijoth wolves and tur- 
keys. When the granil father of our suliject 
died William Fenstermaker purchased 
tiie old family homestead of one hun- 
dred and tifty-six acres and in the spring of 
1832 t<K>k up his alKjtle thereon, continuing 
to cultivate the land and al.so conduct his 
smithy until his death, which occurre<l in 



March. 1843. He left a widow and tea 
children. 

As the eldest son. Cieorge, was then 
married, Squire Fenstermaker, at that time 
nineteen years of age, t(,ok charge of the 
home farm and assisted his mother in pro- 
viding for the younger children. His early 
life was one of acti\e and earnest toil and 
his efforts jiroved of miich benefit to tlie 
•family. In his twenty-fifth year he was 
united in marriage on the ist of December, 
1846. to Susana Smith, a daughter of Henry 
Smith, a farmer of Fairfield county. He 
then luiilt a home on one corner of the old 
farm and he still continued to manage the 
land until he ixirchased fifty acres adjoining 
the home place. There he built a log house 
for himself and' little family. A lew years 
after he inirchased a tract of eighty acres, 
adjoining his lirst purchase, so that he 
owned a quarter of a section, whereon Ins 
labors brought to him a good financial re- 
turn. He remodeled and enlarged his home 
but eventually sokl that prt>i)erty which al- 
lerward came into the possession of Jeff- 
ries' family and on it was lx>m the present 
champion prize fighter of that name. 

In the spring of 1862 Mr. FensteniKiker 
removed to his present hi>ino, luuxhasing 
the properly the f(vIloAv'ing year. The house 
had been erected in 1839 and was the first 
brick house built in Carroll, being then con- 
sidered (|uite a mansion. When he cahie 
here in the spring of 1862 the Squire rented 
a w alehouse near the canal and engaged in 
the grain business, but a year latei' the 
building and its contents were destroyed by 
lire an<l as he carrie<I no insurance he suf- 
fered a heavv loss. Since that time he li^i- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



69 



•de\-(itecl liis enero;ie.s to agricultural pur- 
suits aud his well developed place, neat and 
thrifty in appearance, indicates his caretuJ 
supervision and enterprise. 

By his first marriage ]\Pr. Fenstermaker 
had five children, three of whom are yet li\- 
ing-: ]\Iarv- E., the wife of David Spencer, 
a contractor and carpenter living in Colum- 
bus. Ohio; Ollie, the wife of Rol>ert Mc- 
Farlandi, who follows farming and thresh- 
ing and resides near Carro]] ; and Charles 
D., who' married Mrs. Edward Kistler. 
whose maiden name was Jane Sands. The\' 
have one child. Ethel, and they reside with 
Mr. Fenstermaker, who on the 13th of 
August, 18S3. ^^'^s called upon to mourn the 
■death of his first wife. On the 5th of 
March. 1885, he married Mrs. Watts, a 
widow, by whom he had two children : 
Myrtle, torn in 1889, is being educated in 
the convent of the Good Shq>herd of Co- 
lumibus : and Parley D.. b<irn in 1893. '* '^^-~ 



ten-ding the hi)me school. Mr. Fenster- 
maker has obtained a legal sqiaration from 
his second wife. 

For many years the Squire has filleil the 
office of justice of the peace and his o>pinions 
have alwavs been fair and impartial, few 
e\er having lieen re\'ersed. In the spring 
of 1902 he was also elected mjayor of Car- 
roll and is now acceptably filling that office. 
Although now nearly eighty years of age he 
is still a 'hale and hearty man and has never 
been obliged to wear glasses. Having spent 
his entire life in the county, he is widely 
known among its residents. From pioneer 
(lavs to the present he has watched the de- 
velopment and progress of this portion of 
the state and his efforts in its behalf have 
l)een effective in promoting its welfare. 
TlTose who know him entertain for him 
friendly regard and: his circle of acquaint- 
ance is very e.xtensive throughout Fairfield 
countv. 



A. H. GINDER. 



A. H. Ginder. who has stood the test labor bestowed upon it. Mr. Grinder was 

■of iniblic office and been found most trust- born in Greenfield township, Fairfield conn- 

worthy and reliable, is now identified with ty, on the 4th of January, 1852, his ])arents 

the agricultural interests of Fairfield conn- being John and Ann (Hinsel) (iinder. The 

ty and has some valual)lc property within latlier was 'born in llasil. Switzerland, and 

its borders. He makes his home in Eancas- when in his eighteentli year crossed the .\t- 

ter, 'hut superintends the o])eratic)n nf hi> l.antic tir the new world in comiiany w ilh his 

land, which is under a high state of culti\a- parents. John and Mary ( Krotzer) Ginder, 

lion and vields an excellent return for the who- settled in I'"airticld county in i8_'5. and 



70 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a txrother, Van H. Ginder, who now resides wliicli lie assisted liis l)rotlier at carpaiter 

in Baltimore, tliis county. On tlie maternal work for some tinxe. 

side our subject is also of Swiss lineage. Mr. Ginder has been called upon to fill 
His miaternal grandparents were natives of a numlxr of offices by his fellow to\\Tis- 
Basfl, Switzerland, and on emigrating to men who recognize his Avorth and aibility. 
the new world took up their alj<xie in Fair- In 1880 he was appointed census enumera- 
field county, Ohio, where the mother of our tor for Greenfield township, and in 1889 
subject wias born in the year 1818. The he was appointed deputy auditor under K. 
father of our subject was a carpenter l>y F. Brown, in which capacity he served for 
trade and in additiim tn his lalx>rs as a six years. On the expiration of that period 
builder he engaged in fanning, making his in 1894 lie was elected auditor for a tenn 
home in Greenfield township. He was a of three years. His previous service as dei>- 
mian of miK-h aiergy and enterprise and was uty had well trained him for the duties of 
regarded as a valued citizen in the early the su)]>erior position, which he discharged 
days, teing held in liit^h esteem ti>r his sterl- with such signal ability and fidelity tiiat he 
ing character and bis unfaltering integrit} . was re-elected in 1897, his secoml term ex- 
]n ])olitics he was a Demccrat and a warm piring in October, u^oi, when be retired 
admirer (>f (ieneral Jacksi>n and the princi- from tlie olhce — with which he had been 
pies he a<hi>calc(l. lie was a member of the connected for twelve _\ears — with the con- 
Reformed cinu'cli ni liasil and died in that fidence and gotwl will of all. ha\ing made 
faith on his farm near Ikisil, in .\|)ril, 1892. many friends during his incumljency. Since 
His wife, who sur\i\es him. yet makes her leaving othce he has given his attention to 
home on the old fann in (ircenfield town- farming and is the owner of three hundred 
ship. In their family were fnur children: acres of rich land, splendidly cultivated. 
Samuel H., a residait farmer of this county : Upon this tract is a good residence, substan- 
Daniel, who resides on the old homestead; tial teirn and outlniildings, feed lots and the 
A. H., of this review; and F,lizal>eth C. latest improved mnchinery and the place is 
Reared as a farmer boy A. H. Ginder yielding to the owner a go<id financial rc- 
early became familiar with the wtirk of the turn for the care and labor lie il)estovvs 
fields and meadow and the sun shone down upon it. 

uiKHi nianv a trad which he plowed and In li^^j Mr. Ginder was imited in mar- 
])lanted. ripening the grain which he had riage to Miss Sarah Baugher. a daughter of 
sown. In the wiiUer months he attended Sanniel and Caroline I I'isher ) Haugher, of 
the district schools of the neighl>orh(«)d and Greenfield townshi]). who were early set- 
later Ijecame a student in the b'airfield Unioi! tiers of this county. Tlnee children ba\e 
Academy at i'leasant\ille. Fatcr he en- been born mUo our suliject and his wife: 
gaged in teaching, being employed as teacher \'iola .\.. I'loyd V.. and Myrtle May. The 
of the home sc1i<k)1 for seven terms, afte;- son is ntiw a miedical stmlent in the Starling 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



71 



Medical College, of Columbus, Ohio-. Mr. in local, county and state politics, and al- 

Ginder belongs to Qiarity Lodge,'No. 7, I. ways interested in the success of his jjart)-. 

O. O. F., of Lancaster, and Mount Pleasant, His pleasant hom|e in Lancaster is bxated 

Lodge, No. 48, K. P. Politically he is a at No. 185 East Sixth avaiue and there 

pronounced Democrat, taking an active part hospitality reigns supreme. 



JOHN HYDE. 



For almost eighty years John Hyde has 
traveled lifers journey, and in old age he re- 
ceives the veneration and respect which 
sliould ever be accorded on whoi has at- 
tained tO' advanced years and has lived an 
upright and honorable life. He now makes 
his home in Hocking township, Fairfield 
count}", Ohio'. His birth occurred in the 
state of Pennsyhania. He first opened his 
eyes to the light of day in Bedford county, 
August 10, 1823. the son of Jonathan and 
^Margaret Ann Hyde, both of wihom were 
natives of New Jersey. The father xvas a 
cooper by trade and for many years resided 
in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, where 
bodi he and his wife dieil. the latter pass- 
ing away when her son, John, was but three 
years o'f age. He is now the only living 
representati\e of the family, which num- 
bered eight children. He spent the first fif- 
teen years of his life in the state of his na- 
tivit}' and then sought a home in Ohio, 
coming to Fairfield countv with his brother. 
Daniel. They located in Madison to\vnshi]>, 
where he engaged in the coopering business 
lor many years, being a thorough and expert 
workman. Subsequently he turned his at- 



tention to the shoanaker's trade, which he 
followed for eight years in Madison town- 
ship, and on the expiration of that period 
engaged in farming, owning and operating 
a tract of land in the same township. About 
thirty years ago, however, he sold that farm 
and purchased a fann of one hundred- cres 
in Hocking township, upon which he has 
since made his home. He erected' a laro-e res- 

o 

idence here and has one of the miost desira- 
ble and attractive homes in this portion of 
tiie state. He has carried on farming and 
contract work, and as the }ears have passed 
his unremitting t' ;il and well directed la1x)rs 
have Ijrought to him creditable success. 

Mr. H\-de was married in Madisoii 
township. Fan-field county, to Miss Susan 
Dmdore, andi unto them were born fom- 
ciiildren. Francis AJarion, the eldest, mar- 
ried ]\Iiss Haas, and resides in Hocking 
towmship, where he follows contracting and 
farming. Julia Ann is living in Madi.son 
township. Samantha is the widow of Jesse 
Lysinger, who was a blacksnnth of Hock- 
ing township, and has one child. :\targaret 
Ann is the deceased uiife of Edward Haas, 
\\-ho has also passed awa}-. Their home was 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in Kansas. The m«)tlier of tliese cliildren 
died alxmt thirty-five years ago and Mr. 
Hyde afterward wedded .Mrs. Lottie Kaitz. 
tile widow of Frederick Raitz, wlio by Iier 
first riarriaoe iiad three ciiihh-en. namely: 
Frank, wlio is now sheriff of Fairfield coun- 
ty; Henry, who is engaged in the drug i>us- 
iness in St. Louis: and Samantha. the wife 
of Clarke Gritty, a resident of Clear Creek 
township, by whom' she has four daughters. 
By the second marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
Hyde four children ha\e been born: Clay, 
who is clerking in Lancaster, married Jes- 
sie, the daugiiter of Samuel Haldemian : 
Oscar is at home: John is engaged in tlic- 
grocery business in Cohnnbus : and (iertie 
V^\^:n is also at home. 



Mr. H\xle holds maitl)ershii) in the Re- 
formed church, in which lie has ser\ed as 
trustee for many years. He votes with the 
i)emocracy, but has ne\er sought or desired 
puijiic oflicc, preferring to devote his atten- 
tion to his business affairs in which he has 
prospered. In this country where o]>]X)rtuii- 
ity is open to all men who ilesire advance- 
ment and are not afraid to work, he has 
gradually won success and to-da\- has a 
comifortaWe coirqyetence which supplies hinii 
with the comforts that go to make life worth 
living. His career has ever l>een honorable 
and straightforward, and in the evening of 
life he can look back over the ])ast without 
regret and forward to the future without 
fear. 



B. A. THOMAS, M. D. 



Although Dr. Thomas is a regular med- 
ical practitioner and has a comprehensive 
knowledge of the science of medicine and 
its uses, he is making a specialty of sur- 
gery, and in this branch of the jirofession 
has manifested particular skill and abilitv. 
thereby gaining a large and lucrative prac- 
tice. He was born in Reading towiTshii). 
Perry county, Ohio. August 22. 1835. His 
father. Jesse Thomas, was liorn in Rocking- 
ham county, \'irginia, in the year 1801, 
while the grandfather of our subject was 
Aaron Thomas, a native of Wales. He 
had three brotlicr^ and the davs of his bov- 



Iiood. youth and early manhood were spent 
in his native country. He there owned a 
tract of land, but the government beat him 
out of it and becoming disgusted with the 
governmental methods there he resolved to 
establish his home in the "land of the free." 
-\ccnrdingly he crossed the .\tlantic and 
tof>k up his abmlc in Virginia, where he was 
married to Rosanna Parrot, a native of the 
Old Dominion. They became the parents 
of six children : Jesse, Kvan, Samuel, 
David, Jacob and Mrs. .\ndrcw Morrow. 
Aftenvard Aaron Thomas came with his 
familv to Ohio, settling in Fairfield countv. 




B. A. THOMAS, M. D. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



75 



wliere he purchased three huii(h"e(l and sixt\- 
acres of land. For a numljer of years lie 
was successfully engaged in agricultural 
pursuits, the richly cultivated fields bring- 
ing to him good crops. He found a ready 
sale on the market, sO' that his financial re- 
sources steadily increased. He also became 
interested in the Lancaster Bank and was 
a prominent factor in business circles in an 
early day. His political support was given 
the Whig partv. 

Jes.se Thomas acquired his education in 
Rockingham county, Virginia, and in the 
schools of Rush Creek township, having 
been brought by his parents to Fairfield 
count\- when a lad of ele\'en years. Sub- 
sequently he engaged in teaching school for 
a number of years in an okl-time log school 
hfiuse common in frontier districts. He 
also \\orke(l upon bis fath'er's fann and 
continued agricultural ])ursuits there until 
tlie time of his death, which occurred when 
he was eighty years of age. He engaged 
in the raising of a good stock of cattle, 
hogs and shee]i and this j)roved to him a 
gratifying source of income. In his relig- 
ious convictionis he was a Presbyterian, 
long holding membership with the church. 
He married Miss Elizabeth Miller, a na- 
ti\e of Ohio, and they becani'e the parents 
■of six sons amd six daughters: Matilda, 
the wife (tf Peter Burift": John F., wlio is 
living half a mile north of Rushville; Mark, 
who ched in 'Winchester, Virginia, in 1864, 
fr(]ni wounds received at the battle of 
Cedar Creek: Isaac, who resides north of 
Oak Thorpe: the Doctor: Joab F., a resi- 
•dent of Rushville: Elizabeth, the wife of 
Ed. Thompson : their home being near Bre- 



men, Ohio; Jane, who became the wife of 
James AlcXaughton, of Columbus, and is 
now deceased; Catherine, deceased wife of 
Clint Kellerman; Samantha ; Sarah Ann, 
deceased: and David S., a dentist in Som- 
erset, Ohio. 

Dr. Thomas acquired his early education 
in the district schools of his native town- 
ship and later pursued his studies under 
the direction of Charles Nourse, of Somer- 
set. He began reading medicine with Dr. 
John Nourse, of Lancaster, and in 1864-5, 
was a student in the Starling Medical Uni- 
versity, being graduated in that institution 
with the cla.ss of iS6c). He was the orator 
at Columlxis, during the last year of the 
Alumni Association. A most thorough and 
painstaking student he has always continued 
his reading and investigation and is a physi- 
cian Oif broad knowledge, who is very ac- 
ciu'ate in diagnosing- cases and in applying 
the correct remedies that should aid in the 
restoration of health. At the .same time he 
gives his attention largely to surgery and 
is most successful in that branch of profes- 
sionl work. 

On the loth of September, 1861, the 
Doctor was married to- Miss Ella Rissler, 
a native of Fairfield county. Ohio. Unto 
them have been born four children, of whom 
three }-et lixing-; E\-a, now the wife o£ 
Professor Fess, otf Ada, Ohio; Minnie, the 
wife of Charles E. Basore, of Columbus; 
Ed H., also a resident of the capital city, 
and Jesse R., deceased. 

.\t the time of the Ci\il war the Doctor 
manifested his loyalty to his cmmtry by en- 
listing ill Company V. Captain James 
.Stiiichaciiiiib's company, for three months' 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



service. He took part in several skirmishes 
ill Virginia and was discharged on the loth 
of August. icSGi, on the expiration of his 
term. Xot content, ho\ve\er, with the 
period of senice he had given his countn-, 
he recruited a company and went out with 
the Sixty-second Ohio Infantry, going to 
Cumljerland. Maryland, over the Baltimore 
& Ohio Railroad. He took part in the liat- 
tles of \\'inchesteT. Key Cross Roads, and 
his comman<l went to the relief of McClel- 
laiT. afterward returning to Yorktown, and 
thence to Suffolk. He rose to the rank of 
captain and was honorahly discharged on 
the 28th of June, 1863. on account of disa- 
bility. \\'hile on board a vessel with his 
regiment, sailing from Moorehouse Inlet, 
Xortli Carolina, to Hiltonheatl. South Caro 
lina. the Doctor conveived the idea of 
C(X)king hy steam. The plan was tried and 
proved a success. I^ater the other vessels 



adopted the same method and to-day the 
same pr(x;ess is used in many of our large 
institutions. 

He is noAV a member of the Grand Army 
of the Republic, and of the Loyal Legion, of 
Cincinnati. He is also connected with the 
Odd Fellows S<xiety at \\'est Rushville, the 
^lasonic lodge of Rusliville and the Kniglits 
of Maccabees, of Rushville. He has also 
taken the Knight Templar degree in Ma- 
sonry, belonging to the commandery at Lan- 
caster. In politics he is an earnest Repub- 
lican, and for four years he sen-ed as presi- 
dent of the pension board under President 
Harrison. He has also l)een chairman of 
the county committee and has lieen earnest 
and able in promoting the growth and wel- 
fare of his party. His religious faith is in- 
dicated by his meinbership in the Presby- 
terian church, in which he is now serving 
as an elder. 



GEORGE H. WETZEL. 



If every young man thoroughly under- 
stood and l>elieve(l what wise men and 
phil(>S(»phers are always ]x>inting out — that 
success almost never ccwiies to any one with- 
out great and persevering effort, a multi- 
tude of failures in life wmiid he averteil and 
the world would be a much lia])])ier place 
than it is to-day. In countless thousands of 
instances, especially in the L'nited States, 
where men arc rated at their true jiersonal 



worth, jXHir Inns iiave risen to places of 
pn/minence and influence because they were 
not afraiti of work, and hard work, ti o. and 
because they were actuated I>y the commend- 
able amhition to do s(»mething ami Ik? some- 
thing worthy of the resjjcct of all mankind. 
Although Mr. W'ctzcl entered upon his 
Inisiness career in the humble capacity of a 
clerk, he has for almost twenty years been 
niunl)ered anu^ng the merchants of Lan- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



77 



caster and is now" one of tlie leading pre- 
scription druggists of the city. His home 
has always been here where he first opened 
his eyes to the light of day, on the 1.2th of 
October, 1849. 

His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth 
(Welker) Wetzel, both of whom were na- 
tives of Baden, Germany, where they weix 
reared to mature years and married. Be- 
lieving that they might have better business 
opportunities in the new world, they at 
length took passage on a sailing vessel 
bound for the port of New York. On land- 
ing in that city they at once made arrange- 
ments to continue their journey direct to 
Lancaster, where they made a iiernianent 
location. The father conducted a meat 
market for about four years and then estab- 
lished a hotel, being proprietor of what was 
known as the William Tell Tavern for three 
years. On the expiration of that period he 
purchased a tavern which he named the 
Wetzel Tavern. This he successfully con- 
ducted until his death in 1878. Our subject 
has in his possession an application made by 
his father in 1853 to conduct a hotel. This 
is signed by a numl>er of the citizens of the 
third ward, all of whom are now deceased. 
He was widely and favorably knoiwn among 
the early settlers and took a deep and active 
interest in promoting public progress and 
improvement along lines of substantial up- 
building. His wife, surviving him for many 
years, passed away in February, 1898, at an 
advanced ag-e. In their family were three 
sons and two daughters, George H. l)eing 
the eklest. The others are Louisai, the wife 
of Henry Snyder; Catharine, deceased; Ja- 



cob; and Henry, a resident of Dallas,. 
Texas. 

I'he childhood and youth of our subject 
were passed in a manner not unlike that of 
most boys of the period. He enjoyed the 
pleasures of the playgroimd and performed 
the duties of the schoolroom', and after ac- 
quiring his elementary education in the pub- 
lic schools he attended a private schoiul. He 
prepared for his business career as a sales- 
man in the drug store of Slocum & White, 
with whom he remained for three years, 
during wihich time he thoroughly mastered 
the business. Subsecpiently he was em- 
ployed in different drug stores until 1883, 
when, with the capital which he had ac- 
cptired through his own well directed efforts 
and economy', he began business on his own 
account, his store being located on the Hill- 
side, where he is now well established, 
carrying a large and well selected stock of 
drugs and medicines obtained from the best 
known and most reliable manufacturers. He 
makes a specialty of carefully compounding 
l)hysician's prescriptions and does the lead- 
ing business in this line in the citv. He has- 
l)een acti\-e]y connected with the drug trade 
from 1867 until the present time, covering a 
])eri(Kl of over thirty-five years. 

In June, 1876, Mr. Wetzel was united 
in marriage to Miss Naomi Bope, ivf Fair- 
lield C(xint\', a daughter of Colonel Jacob 
15o)>e, who was one oif the pioneers of this 
county. Her father was twice married and 
I)rior to the time he married Miss Esse.x he 
wedded Miss Bury. Mrs. Wetzel was a na- 
ti\e ijf this cciunt}' and ])}■ her marriage be- 
came the mother of two cliildren. Init 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Charles E. died on tlie 3d of July, 1899, 
a,8:ed tweiUy-diie years. Lena Leota is at 
home. 

In his pnliiical views Mr. Wetzel is a 
stalwart Repulilican and for two years he 
served as a meniher of the city council, rep- 
resenting the third ward, ime of the strong- 
est Democratic wards in the city of Lan- 
caster, l)eing the second Republican elected 
therein (hiring the past forty years. His 
election certainly was an indication of his 
personal po])ularity and the confidence and 
trust reposed in him by his fellmv towns- 



men. Mr. Wetzel lielongs to Lancaster 
Lodge, Xo. -~.y. F. & A. M., the Chapter, 
No. II. R. A. M., ami the Royal Arcanum. 
He is living on East Alain street at Hillside, 
one of the best residence districts in the city. 
In business he has achieved success through 
honorable effort, untiring industry- and 
capable management, and in private life he 
has gained that warm personal regard which 
arises from true nobility of character, defer- 
ence for the o])inions of others, kindliness 
and geniality and a strict adherence tii the 
])rinci])les of right and justice. 



JAMES M. STEWARD. 



James M. Steward was for a nnmber of 
years engaged in promoting educational in- 
terests in this ])art of the state l)ut at the 
present time is devoting his attention to 
farming and is one of the practical and i>ro- 
gressive agriculturists of Blixnn township. 
A son of Charles and Sarah (Kuntz) Stew- 
ard, lie was horn on the 15th of March. 
1X41, in this cnuniv. His ])arents were 
holli natives of Pennsylvania,, coming to 
Ohio from Lehigh. Bucks county. The fa- 
ther look up his al)ode in Pickaway county. 
Ohio, in 1H37, an<l there engaged in farm- 
ing, but after one year he removed to Fair- 
field county, settling in Amanda townshi]), 
where lie s|)(.iU his remaining days, his death 
•occurring in r(S84. when he was eighty-five 
years of age. for he was lK)rn in 1799. His 
wife died in iXjf'i. at the age of seventy-two 
vears. L'nto ihcm were horn fitteen chil- 



dren, ten of wliom are now living, namely: 
Lucy Ann, the widow of Jeremiah Zhin"ing 
and a resident of Delaware, Ohio: 'i'homas, 
a farmer living in \'an Wert cmmty. Ohio; 
Hannah, the wife of josepli Christian: \\ ill- 
iam II.. a resident of Clear Creek township, 
Fairfield county: Mary Ann. the wife of 
Nathaniel Donor, also of Clear Creek town- 
ship: Lewis \\ ilson, who is living on the 
old homestead in Amand.-i township; 
Susana, deceased: j.nnes M.. of this re- 
view: Sarah, at home: Charles, a physician 
of .\shville, Ohio: and Samuel, a resident of 
Stoutsville, this state. 

James M. .Stcw;ird imrsucd his educa- 
tion in the ])ublic schcwils ne.nr his home and 
at the age of twenty-one years went to Illi- 
nois, where he remained for two years He 
then returned and entered the Fairfield 
Union Academy in 1869. completing a 



\ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



79- 



course ihere. He a]s(i matriculated iu tlie 
Wesleyan University, where he completed 
a course in 1872. For a number of years 
he was a promoter of educational interests 
in this state. He began teaching in tlie dis- 
trict schnols while still pursuing his own 
education and has been in charge of the 
schools (if Adelphi, Ross county, where he 
remained for live years or until 1878. The 
following year he accepted a position in 
Lancaster and for se\'en years was super- 
intendent of the North school, while in 1885 
he became principal of the schools of Basil, 
Ohio, and in 1 886-7 continued at that place. 
In 1887 he took up his abode upi>n his pres- 
ent farm in Bloom townshij) and it has been 
the family home continuously since. Mr. 
Steward was widely recognized as a most 
eflicient promoter of educational work, his 
instructions being g-i\'en clearly and force- 
ably and never failing to leave its impress 
n])on the minds of the children. He wias 
also a good (lisci])linarian and his efforts 
were efficient in jiromoting the intellectual 
welfare of the community with which he 
was associated. 



On the jyth of December, 1872, Mr. 
Steward was united in marriage to .Vmelia 
Dumnuck, a daughter of Benjamin and 
Minerva (Ashbrcvok) Dunnuck, oif Picka- 
way ciiunty, O'hio. Their marriage has 
been blessed with the folluwing named: 
Charles B., of Bloom township, who is a 
graduate of the Ohio State University ; 
Sarah Miner\'a,, deceased : James C, who is 
now pursuing a ccitirse in the State Univer- 
sit}' ; Effie \i., wIkj is a student in the same 
institution; Lewis M., Grace and Florence 
M., who are yet under the parental roof. 
The family ha\'e a pleasant home upon Mr. 
Steward's farm. Fie is engaged in the rais- 
ing of full blooded stock, making a specialty 
of short-horn cattle and Poland-China hogs, 
and has had some very tine cattle on his 
farm. He takes a deep and acti\-e interest 
in matters of public wielfare and has served 
as local school director. He has read ex- 
tensively and thought deeply concerning the 
financial questions of the day and gives his 
political su]>port to the Democracy, while in 
religious faith Ixith he and his wife are 
Lutherans. 



JONAS CONRAD. 



A line farm comprising one hundred and He was born on the 14th of March, 183!. 

SLxty-four acres of land in the township of in the township which is still his home, and 

Clear Creek is the pmperty of Jonas Con- represents one of the okl families of this 

rad, who is numbered aninng the su])stantial county. His paternal grandfather, Daniel 

agriculturists of this portion of the state. Conrad, married Fstlier Root. He was born 



•80 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in Manland of German parentage and re- 
sided in lliat state until Septeniber, 1805. 
when he canx' with liis famil\- to Ohio and 
rented a tract cf huid in Clear Creek town- 
shi|;. I'airlield connl}-. ThrnughDnt his re- 
maining days he carried on farming and 
stock-raising liere, jJinxhasing a farm Wihich 
as the years passed returned to him a gu'lden 
tribute for his care and labor bestowed upon 
the fields. He died when he was seventv- 
h\e years of age, respected and hcjuored by 
all who knew him. 

Henr\- Conrad, the father of our sub- 
ject, was horn in Washington ci>unty, Mary- 
land, on the 1 8th of Augu.st, i8or, and in 
1805 was brought by his parents to Ohio, 
settling in Clear Creek township, Fairfield 
•county. He remained upon the home place 
for some xears after his nwirriage and then 
rcmo\cd to a farm w'hich his father owned 
in the neighborhood. There Henrv Conrad 
carried on agricultural ]vursuits, and the 
well tilled fields brought to himi golden har- 
vests. He ])nt all the improvements upon 
the place and under his super\ision the work 
of the farm, was carried on until his death, 
which occurred when he was almost ninety 
years of age. He was a Demiocrat in his 
l>olitical \iews in early life, but afterward 
became ident it led with the ivep'ublican partv. 
His religious belief was ni harmony with 
teachings o'f the English Lutheran church. 
A hci'.se of worshij* belonging to that de- 
nomination was built nijon a part of hi-; 
farm, he giving the land to the church as- 
sociation. In the years of his earlv man- 
]i<«>d he was united in marriage to Miss 
-Sarah Walters, wiio died April 18, two 



years prior to the death of her husl)and. 
She was liorn in Pennsybania and was 
brought to Ohio when eleven years of age 
by her father. I'rederick Walters, who for 
many years resided in this countv and was 
one of its sulistantial and respected citizens. 
Mr. and Mrs. Conrad tecame the ])arent3 
of ten children, si.x of whom are yet li\ing: 
Ezra, a resident of Clear Creek township ; 
Priscilla, the wife of VX\ Conrad, who^e 
home is in Stoutsville, Ohio; Jonas, of this 
review: Wesley, w'ho is living in Kansas; 
Henry and Martin, who are residents of 
Cleair Creek townshi[). Those who have 
passed away are Caroline. Sarah .-md Cor- 
nelius. 

Jonas Conrad rennained U]>on the old 
home farm until he was twenty-one years of 
age. During that time he gained broad an<i 
practical eN])erience concerning the l)est 
methods of culti\ating the soil and caring 
for stock. When he had arrived at nian's 
estate he started out tm bis own account , 
remming to another farm which his father 
ouiied and whicli he operated for about two 
years. He then took u]) bis aliode upon a 
farm owncvl by his uncle anil made it his 
home for two years, after which be renio\ed 
to the lai'iU upon which be now resides. 
The m/ijst of the inrprovements n])on this 
place are the wmk of Mr. Conrad and the 
buildings stand as an evidence of his life 
of industry, bis ])r<igressive sjiirit and enter- 
])rise. lie has jilaced all of lii> land under 
the highest state of culti\ation and in addi- 
tion to the hi nic farm be has a lifty-acre 
tract of timber land. 

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Con- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



8i 



rad joined the Uninn army fur one hundred 
days ser\ice as a member of Company I, 
One Himdred and Fifty-ninth Regiment of 
Ohio \^^hlnteers. He was stationeti in the 
city of l!ahini'>'-e. ^lar\land, and at tlie cloise 
of iiis term was discharged at Zanesxille, 
Ohio. He belonged to the Grand Army of 
the Rq)ul)lic until the post was abandoned 
in Ainantla. In politics he is a Republican, 
but has ne\'er sought or desired office, al- 
though in the character of a private citizen, 
he withholds his support from no mo-vement 
or meastire tending to contribute to the gen- 
eral g(3od. 

In 1852 Mr. Conrad was united in mlar- 
riage tni Miss Susana Campbell, wiho- was 
born in Madison toiwuship. Fairfield ctmnty, 
a daughter of Christopher and Mary (Def- 
enbaugh ) Campbell. Her father w'as a 
.'-hinglc maker and died in Hocking town- 
ship, while her mother's death occurred in 
^ladison township. ]Mr. Campbell was 
about sixty years ot age at the time of his 
demise, while his wife reached the allotted 
span O'f three score \'ears and ten. Unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Conrad have been born twelve 
children, nine of whoni are still living: 
r\Ialinda Elizabeth is the wife of William 
H. Moore, (jf Clear Creek tO'wnshi]>. They 
had thirteen children — Frances, Laura E., 
Elmer, Lillie, now deceased, Sallie, Grace, 
Denver, \\'alter, Cf>ra, also^ deceased, 
Chauncey, Orion, Carrie and Raymond. 
Louisa Jaaie, the wife of Daniel Spangler, 
a resident farmer of An^anda township, has 
four children — ^Harley, Leslie, Harry and 
Raymiou'd. Martin Luther, who is a carpet 
weaver <rf Amanda, Ohio, married Laura 



Clark, and unto' them have 'lieen horn fi\e 
children — Russell, Rui^ert, Den\-er, who is 
deceased, Gladys, also- tieceased, and Marie. 
\\'illiam Henry is a resident of Pickaway 
county and follows farnring in Walnut 
township. He married Nancy Waites, and 
they had one. child who died in infancy un- 
named. Sallie Ann is the wife of John 
Waites, of Madison coimty, Obio, and their 
children are Bessie, Myrtie, Scott, Mona 
and Clarence: and Wnnfield Scott, who died 
at the age od" twenty years, eight months 
and ten days. Clara Belle died when about 
two years o^ld. Perr}- Elswirth, a farmer, 
died al.Mjut six years ago, at tlie age of 
thirty-two. Cornelia Ellen is the wife of 
William Eveland, of Amanda township. 
Charles L^., who is now thirty-two years of 
age, resides at home and assists his father in 
the operation of the farm. Stella M. is the 
wife of Charles Spangler and the\- reside 
upon their father's farm. Thev ha\e one 
child, Nellie Edith. Lillie May is the wife 
of Homer Eveland, a resident farmer of 
]\Iadison county, 01iii>, and their children' 
are Harold and Verio. All of the children 
of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad were ln)rn in Fair- 
field county. He has reached the age of 
seventy-one years but is still acti\-ely con- 
cerned in business affairs, imA is a worthy 
aufl respected citizen who co-o])erates in all 
movements and measures calculated to ad- 
vance the general good. His life has l>een 
quietly passed upon the farm, but his record 
is well worthy of emulation, for he has been 
loyal in citizenship, liomoraljle in business 
and faithful to the ties of friendship and 
home. 



82 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



COLONEL JOHN C. HITE. 



Tlie liistory nf a state, as well as that 
of a ii'ation, is chicHy the chronicles of the 
li\ es and deeds of those who have conferred 
homor and dignity upon society. The world 
judges the character of a comniunitx' Ijy 
those of- its representative citizens, and 
yields its trilnites of admiration and respect 
for the genius of learning or virtues of those 
whose works and actions constitute the rec- 
ord of a state's prosperity and ]M"ide; and 
it is this record that others for our consid- 
eration the histiM-y nf men, wlm in their 
characters for prciliity and l)enevolence, and 
the kindly virtues, as well as for integrity 
in the affairs oi life, are ever affording to 
the young worthy examples fur their regard 
an<l emulatinn. Therefore it is proper that 
a iust celebrity should he given to those men 
\vho are distinguished in their day and gen- 
eration, that the living may enjoy the ap- 
pral)ation of their contemporaries, as well 
as that of a grateful posterity. 

Colonel Hite is descended from ;i long- 
lived family, his father. Samuel Hite, hav- 
ing reached the adxanced age of ninety- 
seven years, while his mind is still appar- 
ently as clear as that of the ordin.-iry man at 
the age of fifty. He is numered among the 
native sons of Fairfield county, his birth 
having occurred uixnii a farm near Pleasant- 
ville. Xo event of special importance oc- 
curred to varv the routine of farm life for 
iiim in his youth. 1 le mastered the branches 
of learning taught in tlie public schools and 
at the age of nineteen l)Cgan teaching in 
the village of Pleasantville, having charge 



of the school there tlu'ough four successive 
winter terms, and so remarkable was his 
success aiS an instructor, that the j>atr(jns of 
the sciiool increased his monthly salary fai" 
abo\e the amount [laid t(j other teachers of 
the time in that county, in order to 
retain his services in the school. His 
work as an educator and in behalf of 
the young has l)een of the greatest im- 
portance and benefit. Man's worth in the 
world is determined, not by the wealth 
he acquires, but by what he has accom- 
plished for his fellow men, and in this re- 
gard Colonel Hite ma\- well be accounted 
successfid, for his labors ha\e l>een' far 
reaching ;md beneficial. He was largely in- 
strument.'d in Iniilding the b'.'iirfield Union 
Academy an<l Ijecamc the secretary- and a 
member of the first board of directors of 
that institutiifli. In 1863 he was elected 
colonel of the Fourth Regiment of Ohio 
Militia an<l was commissioned by Governor 
David T(k1. He was (piite successful in 
his farming (fl)eratior.s, which he carried 
on for a number of years, but in the fall 
of 1868. on account of failing hcaltii he 
abandoned agricultural ])ursuits and re- 
mo\ed to I^incastcr. where he l>ecanie an 
acti\e factor in commercial circles, purchas- 
ing the book store of Tuthill & Rigby. 
Through the two succeedhig years lie en- 
joyed a large and profitable busine.ss in that 
undertaking, but on the expiration of that 
period he sold his store and became an equal 
l)artner of the Ohio Eagle printing office, of 
Lancaster, being associated in this enter- 




COL. J. C. HITE 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



85 



prise with Tiiomas W'etzler. Tlir(nisjh the 
succeeding live years lie was identified witli 
jom'nahstic interests and then ^;.1<1 i ut tn 
liis partner. 

Colonel Hiite l)ecame an active repre- 
sentative of public Inisiness. in 187,^. when 
he was elected auditor of Fairfield cnunty. 
H'e filled that office thmugh twn success- 
ive terms, at the close of wliich the Hon. 
James Williams, auditor of state, presented 
him- with an unusuall)- flattering" testimonial 
fur the neat manner in which he made his 
reports to the state and for his accuracy in 
office. In April, 1878. he was elected su- 
])erintendent of what was then known as 
the Ohio Reform Farm near Lancaster, un- 
der the administration of Governor Rich- 
ard >d. Bishop. During the latter jiart of 
the administration of Go\"ernor Charles 
Foster in the fall of 1883. he was again 
elected, and once more, in April, 1884. at the 
hegiiming of Governor Hoadley's term of 
service. In i8qo he was once more chosen 
to the office under the administration of 
James F. Campbell, his incumbency in that 
institution covering a period of six and one- 
half years. No more capaljle official has 
e\-er occupied the ]5osition. Colonel Hite 
instituted many impro\-ements and meas- 
ures for the benefit of the institution, where- 
by the condition of the inmates was nnich 
imjiroved. He looked beyond the exigencies 
of the moment to the possibilities of the fu- 
ture and labored to instill into the minds of 
the inmates princii)les that would hel]) them 
to become active and useful citizens in life. 
It was through W\> instrumentalitv that the 
name of the histitutitm was changed bv legis- 
lative act from the Ohio Reform Farm to 



the Boy"s Industrial School. He intHwluced, 
in addition to the trades already taught 
there, brick making and masonry, cabinet 
making, telegraphy, stenography and jn-int- 
ing. On the 15th of November, 1884, he 
issued the first edition of the Boy's Indus- 
trial School Journal, the present paper pub- 
lished at the institution and the first paper 
of its kind in the United States that is still 
in existence. It was througii his recom- 
mendation that the telegraph and telephone 
lines were built from Lancaster to the school 
in 1878 and it was by his direction that the 
inmates were first taught regular militarv 
tactics. He was a fa\'orite with the boys, 
not only on account of his progressix'e ideas, 
bnt his just dealing and interest which he 
took in them. He left the impress of his 
!ndi\"idualit\- u])on mamv a life which has 
been benefited through his efforts. 

Since leaving the Boys' Industrial 
.School, Colonel Hite has devoted much of 
his time to journalism, for which he has a 
strong preference. His laliors have alsi> re- 
sulted in the jierfecting of a system of his 
own, known as the Equitable System for' 
conducting- building and loan com]>anies., 
and for his plan he holds a copyright from 
the United States go\ernment. taken out m 
the year 1899. H^ is the present secretary 
and a director of the Equitaljle Sa\'ing9. 
Loan & Building- Company of Lancaster. 
Ohio, which is founded on' this system antl 
is now doing a remarkably large and suc- 
cessful business. 

On the 23d of September. 185-'. Mr. 
Hite was united in marriage tO' Miss Mary 
Miller, a well educated and highh' culttuTd 
voimg ladv, and this union has been blessed 



S6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



by one son. who graduated with liigli hon- 
ors at ^'ale College in June. 1S78, and who 
t<'r the past se\en years has held and is still 
lioldiug liie important jxisition of chief of 
the drafting dq>artment in the United 
States jiateiit office at Washington, Dis- 
trict of Columbia. 

Colonel Hite is a zealous Odd Fellow, 
having been identified with the order since 
1 85 1. He has passed the chairs in the 
subordinate and encampment lodges, has 
taken the past grand degree of the fortTier 
and the degree of past patriarch in the lat- 



ter. Jn September, 1874, he became a char- 
ter meml>er of Columbia Lodge, No. 27. 
Knights of Honor, was its first representa- 
tive to the grand lodge of Ohio, and twice 
since then has lieen elected its representa- 
tive and is the present incumbent of that 
office. Colonel Hite stands among those to 
wln)m the world is indebted for an uplift- 
ing influence. He is a man of strong pur- 
[)ose, of .sterling worth and broad humani- 
tarian principles, and the work that he has" 
accomplished has won him bigh encom- 
iums. 



WILLIAM BARR. 



l'"or almost one-third of a centur}- Will- 
iam Barr has resided upon his present farm 
and is a representative of one of the hon- 
ored pioneer families of the ctxmty, his 
grandfather having come to this portion of 
the state when I^ncaster contained but two 
houses. Through all the intervening years 
the liarr fimiily ha\e been well known fac- 
tors in the work of public ])rogress and im- 
provement, and their labors have resulted 
largely to the benefit of the community. 
Thomas Barr. the paternal grandfather, 
■was a native of Ireland, and after leaving 
that a untry for the L'nited States he took 
uj) his al>ode in Ohio, making his home on 
the present site of Lancaster, which at that 
time was a mere hamlet, containing two 
bouses and gi\ing little promise of future 



development and greatness. Throughout 
the years of his active life Thomas Barr 
carried on agricultural pursuits. The land 
which came into his possession was wild 
an<l unimproved, but his unremitting dili- 
gence was the means of transforming ic 
into an excellent property. He reached the 
extreme old age of ninety-se\en years and 
left to his family not only a handsome com- 
petence hut also the priceless heritage of an 
untarnished name. 

Thiini;is liarr. the father of our subject, 
was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier 
life, sharing with the family of ;dl hard- 
shi])s and toils as well as many trials inci- 
dent to the settlement f)f a new district 
which is cut off from the comforts of civil- 
ization li\ long stretches of forest or of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



»7 



plain. He was lx>rn in Fairfield county on 
tlie old hnniestead in Amanda township, 
and with the exceptioin of one year spent 
upon a farm in Clear Creek township, he 
nie\er left the to\rnshii> in which he was 
born. He was a cooper by trade and fol- 
lowed that pursuit for eight years. After 
his marriage and during the greater part 
of his life his undivided attention was given 
to agricultural pursuits and to the raising 
of stock. He became the oiwner of four 
'hundred acres of valuable land, part of 
which was in Pickaiway county. His in- 
dustry was mandfest by his unreinitting at- 
tention to his fields and as the years pased 
his land became very rich, attractive and 
\aluable. For twelve years he filled the of- 
fice of township treasurer and was county 
commissioners for six years, discharging 
his duties with marked promptness, ability 
aud honor. He \-oted with the Democratic 
]iarty and it was upon that ticket that he 
was chosen to positions of political prefer- 
ment. His religious faith was indicated by 
liis membership in the Baptist church. He 
died at the age of eighty-four years in the 
village of Amanda, where for a number of 
}-ears he had lived retired. In early life 
he had wedded Hannah Myers, and her 
death occurred when she was seventy-eight 
years of age. She wlas a native of Pennsyl- 
^■an'ia and when about ten years of age was 
brought by her parents to Olhio, the family 
making- a settlement above Cedar Hill, in 
Amanda township. Mrs. Barr became the 
mother of thirteen children, of whom the 
subject oi this review was the third in the 
order of birth. Seven of that number are 



still living. The father was one of the 
greatest marksmen ever in this country. His 
record is seven centers, in succession, which 
record was ne\er broken by an cfifliand, 
oj^en-sight sliooter at forty yards. 

\\'il!iam Barr, whose name introduces 
this record, was Ijorn on the 5th oi March', 
iN38, on the old farm homestead in Am'anda 
township. In retrospect one can see him as 
a little fanner bo_\- making his way to the 
district school of the neighborhood or as- 
sisting in the work of the field and meadow 
as his strength permitted. He continued 
upon the old homestead until after his mar- 
riage, when he started out in life independ- 
ently, renting a farm ini Amanda township. 
There he remained for five years, on the ex- 
piration of which time he purchased his 
present property in Amanda township and 
for thirty-two years has' made hi's home 
thereon. Within the boimdaries of his home 
are comprised one hundred and fifty-two 
and one-half acres of rich land. In addi- 
tion to the cultivation of the crops best 
adapted to this climate he is engaged irt 
raising stock. He has made all the improve- 
ments upon the place, including the erec- 
tion of a substantial farm house and other 
buildings. 

It was in the year 1862 that Mr. Barr 
led to the marriage altar Miss Margaret 
Circiner. the Avedding being celebrated near 
Lancaster, llie lady was a daughter of 
Henry F. and Mary Ann (Gorman) 
(ireiner. Her father was a native of Ger- 
many and wheji only three years of age was 
b'niught to the new wiorld by his parents, 
who first located in Pennsylvania, but after- 



88 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ward removed from the Keystone state to 
Ohio and became a resident of Lancaster. 
Tlie fatiier of Mrs. Barr was a stone cutter 
by trade, following that pursuit for a num- 
ber of years. He afterward engaged in 
teacliing in the puhhc schools of Lancaster. 
He died at the comparatively early age of 
thirty-nine years. The home of our sub- 
ject and his wife was blessed with ten chil- 
dren : Clara is living with her parents. 
Frank S.. who owns and operates sixty 
acres of land in .\manda t<n\nshi]>. adjoin- 
ing his father's farm, married Cora Belle 
Williamson, a daughter of Henry W'illiam- 
soni, of Lancaster, and they have three chil- 
dren : Alvin, Ruth and Floyd. George re- 
sides above Cedar Hill, .\manda township, 
where he is engaged in the tilling of the 
soil. He married Alice Peters, a daughter 
of the Rev. Robert Peters, a minster of the 
Baptist church, now in Pickaway county. 
Their children are I'lmil, Lester. Robert and 
.\lbert. Mary, the fourth member of the 
family, died at the age of twenty-nine years. 
Nora is at home. N^ellie died at the age 



of three years. Florence is the wife of John 
Solt. of Pickaway county, where he folknvs 
farming, and they have one child, Harry. 
Fannie. Harry and I'rederick are still un- 
der the parental roof. .\11 of the children 
were born in Amanda township and inn- 
sued their education in the pul>lic sc1t<x)1s 
i)f that locality. On May 30. igoj. Mrs. 
Barr was called to the home beyond. She 
was an earnest Christian; woman and was 
a loyal member of the Presibyterian clnu'ch 
of Amanda. 

Mr. Barr exercises the right of franchise 
in support of the men and measures of the 
Democracy, but the honors and emoluments 
of office have no attraction for him : yet 
as a citizen he is deeply interested in every- 
thing pertaining to the general good. He 
belongs to the Presbyterian church of .Aman- 
da, and for ten or twelve years has served 
as one lA its deacons. His personal char- 
acteristics are such as to win for him the 
friendshij) and regard of all with whom lie 
has been brought in contact. His life has 
ever been honorable and upright. 



MANASSEH CLICK. 



Almost a centurv has i)assed since the many ])laces that the sunlight could scarcely 

Click family was e.stablished in Fairtielil penetrate through the leaves and the 

county. At that time the work uf ])rngress br.nicbes. 1 he streams were unbridged and 

and improvement had scarcely been begun there were few wagon roads. The .settlers 

here. The forests stoo<l in their primeval made their way through the forests by 

Ptremrth, the trees growing so dense in means of the old Indian tniil.*; or blazed 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Sg 



patlis. Into this wiklerness came tlie Glick 
fainil)-. estalilisliing- a lu;nie on the frontier 
•and bravely enchnMng all the hardships and 
trials incident to pioneer life. The gxand- 
father. Philip Cilick, came to Bloum town- 
ship in. 1807 and entered government land, 
securhig a section 'or more in Fairfield and 
Pickaway counties. He then retiu'ned to 
Pennsylvania, where he was taken ill. dying 
at Harrislnirg when abi-ut seventy ^■ears of 
age. He was a native of France and on 
■emigrating from Alsace to the new world 
first to'ok tip his abode in Allentown. Penn- 
sylvania. His widnw in the following vear. 
1808, came with Jonathan Glick. the father 
of our subject, and the other of her children 
to Fairfield count}', where her husband had 
entered land and spent her ranain'ing days 
here. In the family were seven sons and 
fi\"e daughters. Jonathan being the eleventh 
in order of birth. .-Ml the brothers lived to 
a good age. They were John, Philip, 
George, Jacob. Peter. Henry and Jonathan. 
Of this number George was the grandfather 
of Governor Glick. of Kansas. 

Jonathan Glick was born in Lehigh 
county. Penns\-h-ania. and was but a Ijoy 
when he accompanied his mother to his 
Fairfield county home, the family Siettling in 
Bl()(im township in the midst of the wilder- 
ness near what is known as the Glick church, 
a house of worship lielonging to the Lu- 
theran denomination. Jonathan Glick be- 
came a manber of that church with which 
he was identified the remainder of his davs. 
taking an active and helpful part in its work. 
He was anxitnis to enter the army to serve 
'm the war of 1812, but owing to his youth 



he was not allowed to go. Hiowever, he 
went to Pennsylvania and worked his way 
into the army as a substitute for his brother 
Philip. After the war he remained in Penu'- 
sylvania until his marriage and then again 
came to Bloom township, in 1818. ])urchas- 
ing the farm upon which onr subject now 
resides. He brought his land under a liigh 
state of cultivation, transforming it into a 
valuable farm. For his service in the war 
of 1 81 2 he received a land warrant by which 
he acquired (3ne hundred and sixty acres of 
land. He was a modest, unassuming mam 
but was respected for his stability of char- 
acter, his enterprise and his relia])ility. He 
died in October. 1866, at the age of seventv- 
three years. He had always been an advo- 
cate of the Democracy and was a finn be- 
liever in its ])rinciples. In early manhood 
he married Catherine Kerschner, who was a 
daughter of Jeremiah Kerschner, a resident 
of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, who re- 
moved to the west and took up his abode in 
Bloiini township, Fairtield county, where he 
spent the greater jiart of his life. His wife, 
wild bore the maiden name of Catherine, 
died in Bloom' township at the age of eighty- 
six years. It was her daughter, a name- 
sake, who became the wife of Jonathan' 
Glick and the mother of our subject. She 
died in 1882 in her eight\'-sixth venw By 
her marriage she had eleven children : 
.\aron, Jonathan, Elias. Rubeui and Xathan, 
all deceased; Manasseh : Sarah, the widow 
of Jacob Solt ; Caroline., Lucy S. and Julia 
Ann. twins, and Catherine, all of whom are 
now deceased; and Le\ina. the wife of 
Emanuel Snvder. 



90 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Manasseh Glick, whose name introduces 
this record, imrsued his education in the 
common schools, in the high school of 
Lithopolis and in the Capital University in 
Columbus, Ohio. He afterward engaged in 
teaching, beginning that profession in 1852. 
He followed it for eight consecutive years 
in the common sch(M)ls of Fairfield coimty 
and also si>ent one term as a teacher in Bar- 
tholomew cmnty. Indiana. In 1862 he was 
married and settled npmi tiie farm upon 
which he now resides and to the develop- 
ment and cultivation of which he has since 
devoted his energies. His business career 
has lieen one of untiring acti\ily and his 
re.solute purpose and unflagging enterprise 
have enabled 'him to win creditable and 
gratifying success. 

On the 4th of necem1)er, 1862. ;\Ir. 
Glick was united in marriage to Eliza J. 
Hartman. a daughter of George and Bar- 
bara (Fellers) Hartman. the fonner a native 
of Berks county, Pennsyh-amia, and the lat- 
ter of Fairfield county, Ohio. Her fathei' 
came to this county in his lx)yhoo<l and was 
numljered among the pioneer settlers of the 
community who assisted largely in the work 
of ])ublic i)rogress and substantial upbuild- 
ing. His political supjxirt is given the 
Democracy, but he never sought or desired 
office. He ])assed away in 1895. in the 
eighty-third year of his age, and his wife 
died in 1878, at the age of sixty-five. They 
were the narents of the following namied : 
Valentine: Susana : Eliza J- : Mary: Will- 
iam: Mary, the widow of Samuel Runkle; 
Catherine, the wife of David Klinger, 
of Kansas: and Monroe, also a resident of 



the same state. Tlie home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Glick has been blessed with several children, 
namely: Mary Catherine; Jonathan M.; 
Lucy Ellis, the wife of George Shultz, of 
Kansas ; George T. ; Charles \\'. ; and Loa 
Celestia. 

Mr. Glick has been honored with a num- 
ber of local offices. In 1863 he was elected 
justice of the peace and filled that |X)sition 
for twenty-one consecutive years an<l then 
after an interval was again the incumbent 
of the office from 188 1 until 1884. What 
higher testimonial of his cajiability and 
fidelity could be given? He served for one 
term as townsiiip clerk, for several terms as 
township trustee and in 1897 was elected a 
me:nl;er of the inlirmary Ixiard. in which 
capacity he is still serving. Hi-; public 
career is on* whicli has gained fi r him the 
highest respect by reason' of his loyalty to 
the tnist reposed in him. He has ahvaj'S 
voted with the Democratic party and is a 
firm believer in its ])rinciples. He nowi 
holds his first commission as notar)- public 
for a term of nine years. He has .settled' 
many estates, having had more than thirty- 
six estates in probate court, and that he has 
Ijeen chosen for this duty is certainly an in- 
dication of the confidence reposed in him by 
liis fellow men. In 1863 he wa.s commis- 
sioned captain of the state militia, his com- 
pany l)eing compi>sed of residents of Bloom 
township. Both lie and his wife are mem- 
bers of tlie (ilick church. It is under the 
direction of the Ohio Lutheran Synod of the 
fifth Englisli district. Mr. GHck aided in 
Iniilding this dnnx-h and liis assistance and 
cooiieratioii ha\e e\er l)een given to all 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



91 



measures for tlie general good along social, from boyhood are numljered among his 

materia], intellectual and moral lines. His warmest friends is an evident indication 

entire life has been passed in Fairfield coun- that his career has ever been upright and 

ty, and that many who have known him honorable. « 



CHARLES E. REESE, M. D. 



The state of Ohio, with its pulsing in- 
dustrial activities and rapid development, 
has attracted within its confines men of 
marked ability and high character in the 
various professional lines, and in this way 
progress has Ijeen conserved and social 
stability foistered. He whose name initiates 
this review has gained recognition as one of 
the able and successful physicians o'f the 
state, and by his labors, his high professional 
attainments and his sterling characteristics 
has justified the respect and confidence in 
which he is held by the medical fraternity 
and the local public. 

Dr. Charles E. Reese was born in Hock- 
ing township, Fairfield county, upoin his fa- 
ther's farm, October 14, 1857, and repre- 
sents an old family of Pennsylvania. His 
paternal grandfather, Maurice Reese, was 
iiorn in \\'ashington county, of the Key- 
.stone state, and about 1799 removed to 
Fairfield county, settling in the midst Oif the 
forest west of Lancaster. He married Miss 
Hannah Meek and tliey became the ])arents 
of twelve children, inckiding Isaac Reese, 
wli(v was Ixirn in Hocking lownishi]), Fair- 
field cnuntv. in 1812. He was 'ine of the 



prosperous farmers of the neighborhood, 
successfull)^ carrying on agricultural pur- 
suits in his native township for many years. 
He married Miss Susan Guitner, who was 
bom in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 
1822, and when eight years of age removed 
with her parents, John and Gertrude Guit- 
ner, to Fairfield county, the family settling 
in Berne township, where the father and 
mother spent their remaining days. Mr. and 
Mrs. Reese reared a family of several chil- 
dren, namely: George W. and Isaac N., 
both of whom followed farming; Charles 
E.,.of this review; Francis M., who is a 
farmer; Almeda M.. the wife of Daniel 
Muqjhy, of Lancaster: Jennie, the wife of 
Frank Smith, an agriculturist; and Fannie 
M., who- wedded Sanuiel Childs. of Rush- 
\ille, Ohio. Year after \ear the father de- 
voted his energies to' agricultural jiursuits 
and the well tilled fields yielded to him gold- 
en returns for the care and labor be be- 
stowed upon them. He was' a man nf de- 
cision of character, fearlessly uiilmlding his 
honest convictions and his many sterling 
traits won' for him the esteem and warm 
regard of all with wlmm he came in cintact. 



92 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RFX'ORD. 



His political support was given the Rqn>b- 
licaii party and on that ticket he was elect- 
ed to several minor offices. His death oc- 
curred in iiSSf). and his wife died in 1892. 
Both were devoted iueniil>ers of the German 
Lutheran church. 

Dr. Reese, whose n;une forms tlit 
•cai)tion of this article, spent his youth in the 
usual manner of farmer lads, taking his 
place in the fields at the time o\ early spring 
planting and assisting in the cultivation of 
the crops until after the atitumn> harvest. 
In the winter months he attended the district 
sch(X)ls and later l)ecame a studeiu uf the ]>ub- 
lic schunls in Lancaster. Afterwartl he cor;- 
tinued his education in a jirivate schmjl for 
three years and then entered upon the study 
of medicine, reading under the direction of 
T)r. Ilarman, in Lancaster. He further 
CfHitinued his studies in the Ohio Medical 
College of Cincinnati until he was graduat- 
ed with the class of 1885. 

Dr. Ree.se tiien came to Lancaster, 
where he oj^ened an otfice, and steadily he 
has worked his wa\' upward in a profession 



where promotion comes in recognition of 
broad learning and sui>erior skill. He has 
ever kejit in touch with the advancetl 
thought and discoveries of the day bearing 
u])on his jiractice and is c|uick to adopt any 
new methods which he believes will assist 
him in checking the ravages of disease and 
restoring health. 

In iJ^77 was celebrated the marriage of 
Dr. Reese and Miss Jennie D. Miller, of 
Lancaster, a daughter of David R. and Isa- 
bella (Gallagher") Miller. The DtKtor be- 
longs to Mt. Pleasant Lodge, Xo. 48, K. 
of ]'. For .seven years he was physician 
for the lioys" Industrial School. In man- 
ner lie is a genial and affable gaitleman, 
and the sunshine of his o\m nature is a 
])otent element in a sick room where any- 
thing depressing has a detrimental influence 
an<l all that is bright and enlivening acts 
in the oiiposite way. His prominence in 
the profession is the result of earnest labor 
and capability, and the ]>ublic and the med- 
ical fraternity acknowledge his worth as a 
citizen and as a jihysician. 



JOHN B. SPANGLER. 



In pioneer times the Spangler family was lowing only an ohl Indian trail. Dense in- 
established in i'airlield cmnUy. This was i\ccd was the growth nf the native trees 
largely a frontier region when the grandfa- and much nf the land was still in jxissessioii 
ther of our subject took up his abode here of the woixlmen. having not l)een clainied 
and he often was forced to make his way by early settlers for the purjiose of culti- 
through forests unmarked by any road, fol- vation. Henry Spangler, the gran<lfatlier, 



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^B ..^A^^^^^^^^^l 




^^^^^^^^H .^.^^^i^^^l 


H^B^H 


^K^H 


Hl^^^^I 


^^^^n'^'f^ 


^M^^l 




^^^^1 


^^^^^X. ...^L.^i^^B^^^^^K 


i^^^^^l 


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H 


^lll^v H^^ni^y^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H 



JOHN B. SPANGLER AND WIFE 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



95 



was I)om ill Penmsylvania, and alji-ut 1804 
settled in Picka\va_\' county, Ohio, where he 
buih a log cahin and thus provided a home 
for his family, but after a short time he 
came to Fairtield county and took up his 
home in Clear Creek township, purchasing 
land from the gi)\ernment and developing 
there the farm upon which oui"* subject now 
resides, the deed for same being signed by 
Thon.ias Jefferson and dated 1809. Not a 
furrow had lieen turned or an imprnvement 
made when it came into his possession, but 
with characteristic energy he began to clear 
away the trees and soon the woodman's ax 
awakened the ech(>es of the forest. The 
brush was hauled awav ami burned and soon 
the shining ])low made a track across the 
cleared fielrls. As the years passed the land 
became very producti\'e and the grandfa- 
tlier j-jrospered in his undertakings. He 
maile his home upon this farm until his 
death, which occurred wlien he was about 
seventy years of age. \\^ell does he deserve 
to be remembered among the honored and 
valued pioneers who aided in reclaiming 
this land an*! laid broad and deep the 
foundation for the present development and 
prosperity of Fairfield county. 

Jeremiah Spangler, the father of our 
sullied . was born in Berks county, Pennsyl- 
vania in 1803, an^l when' fi\e years of age 
accompanied his parents to the Buckeye 
state. Here they resided aliout five years, 
at the end of which time they returned to 
Pennsylvania. There they li'\'ed until 1813, 
when they again came west. Earh' Jere- 
miah Spangler became familiar with all the 
liarclships and trials incident to a life in 



the frontier. He was also inured to the 
ar{kious labor of devel(;ping the new farm, 
but the practical experience wh'ch he gained 
enabled liim to engage in farm work on 
his own accouiu \-ery successfullv in later 
life. He continued u])ou the old homestead, 
devoting his energies to the cultivation of 
the fields and the raising o-f stock. His last 
years were spent in rest from labor, and he 
reached the extreme old age of ninety-three 
years and two months. Ht \vas largelv in- 
strumental in building the first Evangelical 
church (if Tarlton, erected in the early part 
of the nineteenth century. In the davs of 
his early manhood he was united in mar- 
riage to Elizabeth Bresler, who passed away- 
some }-ears ])rior to the death of her hus- 
band. In their family were six children, 
but only two are now living: Mr. Spangler, 
of this review, and Amia, the wife of 
Charles Bevens, of Columbus., Ohio. 

John'B. Sjiangler opened his eyes to- the 
light oif day on the old family homestead 
which had been entered by his grandfather, 
and in the coimtry schools near by he pur- 
sued his education, sitting upon a .slab seat, 
his feet resting upon a puncheon' floor. In 
one end of the log building was a huge fire- 
place, which threw out a strong heat, warm- 
ing the little building' imJess the cold of the 
winter penetrated through between the 
chinks in the logs. At farm work Mr. 
Spangler received a liberal training, for at 
an early age he took his place behind the 
plow and the sun shone down uponi many a 
field which he culti\-ated. In his youth he 
remained upon tiie old homestead until he 
attained his niajorit\-. when he started out 



96 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to fanii on' his own account in the same 
township. He secured a tract of land, which 
he cultivated for ten or twelve years and 
then returned to the old homei^tead in order 
to care for his father, who was feeling the 
infirmities of age. 

In 1 86^ Mr. Spangler joined the boys 
in blue. He left for a tliree months' serA-- 
ice at the front, becoming a member of 
Company K. Seventy-eighth Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry, in which he served until the 
close of the war. He was wounded near 
Goldsboro. North Carolina, and received 
an honorable discharge at Washington, 
after which he returned to his native 
comity and has since resided in Clear Creek 
townshi]). The house which is his home 
was Iniilt liy his father, hut he has made 
many improvements upiin the place and now 
has a comfortable home. 

Mr. Spangler was married in 1862 to 
Susaji Parks, who was Ixmi in Hocking 
county, a daughter of Perry and Nancy 
(Cupp) Parks, her father Ijeing one of the 
early settlers of Hocking county. In 1874. 
however, he removed to Illinois and subse- 



quently took up his alxxle in Te.xas, where 
his death occurred. Farming was his life's 
occupation. 

Mr. and Mrs. Spangler became the par- 
ents of four children. Clara is the wife of 
of Arthur Eck, who is engaged in the res- 
taurant business in Clyde, Ohio. Edward 
marrietl Lena Wolff and is a fanner of 
Amanda towiiship. Mary died at the age 
of eighteen years. Ida J. became the wife 
of Marion Xoggle. a farmer of Oakland, 
Clear Creek townsiiip. She died at the age 
of twenty-five years, leaving a little daugh- 
ter, Edith Alva, who is now attending 
school. 

Mr. Spangler votes with the Democratic 
l)arty and has never sought or desired office. 
He is a member of the United Brethrerr 
church anl lives a quiet, but honorable life- 
that commends him to the esteem and con- 
fidence of all with whom he has been asso- 
ciated. He owns and occupies a fanrii of 
one hundred seven acres of rich land in 
Clear Creek township, and its systematic 
and practical cultivation results in bringing 
to him desirable success. 



PHILIP MACKLIN. 



Eighty years, during tlie most progress- prt^ress of the world. l)earing his part in 

ivc century of the world, covers the eartlily the impnwement of the ci unity which he has 

pilgrimage of Philip Macklin. Wonderful long claimed as his home: in fact, he is one 

changes have <Kcurred during tliat ];eri(Kl of the nati\e sons of Fairfield ciiuity. his 

and lu- li,!-; taken a dec]) intcre-l in the l)irtli li;i\ing occurre*! in Pleasant township 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



9T 



on the 8th of December, 1823. His parents 
were Peter and Susanna (Conklim) Mack- 
lin, both of whom were natives of Pennsyl- 
vania. The paternal grandfather, Philip 
Macklin, came to Ohio in 1805, and married 
Miss Miller. On leaving the Keystone state 
he came with his family to Fairfield county, 
Ohio, settling in Pleasant township, where 
he spent the remainder of his days. He 
purchased one hundred and sixty-three acres 
of land from the government, paying the 
usual price of one dollar and a quarter per 
acre, and upon the tract, then wild and un- 
improved, he placed many evidences of his 
progressive spirit, the land being well cul- 
tivated, while good buildings were erected 
and all the equipments of farm life known 
at that day added to the place. At length 
death came to him and his remains were 
interred in Sigler cemetery. In his family 
■were the following children : Peter, Betsey, 
Sallie, Maria, Susan, one child deceased, 
Jacob and John. 

Peter Macklin, the father of our subject, 
was about twelve years of age when he ac- 
companied his parents to Ohio, his birth 
occurring in Berks county, Pennsylvania, 
and there he had ranained until he remove*! 
with the family to the Buckeye state. He 
lived uix>n the old homestead, assisting in 
the work of the farm, until his marriage and 
then removed to a farm on section 16, Lib- 
erty township, purchasing eighty acres of 
land, to which he afterward added from 
time to lime until within the Ixmndaries of 
the farm were comprised three hundred and 
twenty acres. AVell did he earn the true 
American title <>i a self-made man. He had 



no one to assist him in his start in the busi- 
ness world, and, depending upon his own 
resources, upon indefatigable energy and 
economy, he gained a start and as the vears 
passed prospered in his undertakings. Unto- 
him and his wife were bom two childrem: 
Polly, who became the wife of David Harter 
and is now deceased, and PhiHp, of this re- 
view. The mother died when our subject 
was only si.x weeks old, and Mr. IMacklin 
afterward married Barbara Doomy, by 
whom he had si.x children; Amos, a resident 
of Liberty township; Sarah, the wife of 
David Schenck, of the same to'wnship; 
Maria, who died in Indiana; Sophia, the de- 
ceased wife of John Andergg, of Liberty 
towliship: Selena, the wife of Da\id 
W'eisner. of Indiana; Sanmntha. the de- 
ceased wife of John Andergg. of Lihertx' 
and Caroline, who^ is now Mrs. Simms. a 
Nvido'W living with her brother Philip. 

When his mother died Philip Macklin 
was taken to the home of his grandparents, 
by whom he was reared. He was educated 
in a lo'g school house in Pleasant township- 
and assisted in the work of the old home- 
stead farm throughout the period of his boy- 
hood and youth. He was twenty years of 
age at the time of his grandfather's death, 
after which he continued to carry on the 
farm for his grandmother until she died, 
when he was twenty-three years of age. He- 
then removed to the farm which he now 
occupies in Liberty township, taking up his 
abode there in Septeml)er. 1848. It has 
since been his place of residence, covering 
a ])erind u\ more than half a centurx'. In ad- 
dition to this projjerty he owns three lots iiv 



•98 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the village f»f Baltimore and six shares in 
the Basil cemetery. 

In 1S47 Mr. Mackiin was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Sarah Rodabaugh, and to 
them thirteen children were born, eight of 
whom stll survive: I'eter. a re.-ident of 
Pleasant township. I'"airfield county: Perry, 
who is living with his father: Arvilla, the 
wife of bihn Dreeher. of Columbus: Susan. 
the wife of Samuel Manger, of Liljerty 
townshi]): Polly, the wife of Charles Reese, 
of Basil: Octavia. the wife of Henry \\eis- 
ner, of Pleasant township; (iela. the wife <'\ 
Daniel Alt. < f Lil;erty fi-wnshi]) : Almeta, tlie 
wife (f Isaac Maslin, who is living in Lick- 
ing county. Ohio': Mrs. Martha Montgom- 
ery, deceased: \'ictorine. the wife of Henry 
Smoke: Selena, the wife <>f Lewis Sheer, of 
lllin(jis: Sarah Ann. the widow of Henry 
Yager: and one that died in infancy. The 
mother of this family was a member of the 
Reformed church and died in that faith. 
After the death nf his first wife Mr. Mack- 
iin married Mrs. Jane Feeman. and thty had 
one child. Charles, who is now deceased. 
After the death of his second wife Mr. 
Mackiin wedded Mrs. Su.san Saliday. whci 
is also deceased. A devoted and faithful 
incmher of the Reformed church, Mr. Mack- 
iin has IjDrne cpiite an active interest in its 
upbuilding and growth and has served as 
trustee, deacon and elder. In politics he is a 
Democrat and has filled the office of towm- 
ship trustee for four years. He is now li\- 
ing a retired life. Tlrrough a long period 
he was actively comiccted with agricultural 
interests in this county, but with advancing 
years he put aside business cares, which are 
now assumed i)\ his .son Perrv. Lie is now 



almost eighty years of age. but is a hale, 
hearty man. receiving the veneration and re- 
s])ect which are his due. 

Perrv Mackiin. who resides upi n the old 
lamily homestead, was born on this fann 
March 14, 1.S31, pursuing his education in 
the township .schools. He has always re- 
mained here with the exception of the years 
1876 and 1S77. when he was in Illinoi.-. He 
then returned to Ohio, and ha.^ since Hved 
with his father and m-w has the care and 
management (;f the home ])lace. • He was 
married December 1 1. 1S73. to Miss Sarah' 
Snnu-. a ivative of Liberty township, and 
imtii them two chii'dren have been born: 
( )ra. the eldest, born Octol)er 28. 1873. pur- 
sued his preliminary education in the town- 
shi]) schiols. but ;ifterward studied in the 
high school nf Basil. He was married .\u- 
gust .^o, 1893, to Mi.ss Charlotte Fitzer. who 
was born in Cireenfield townshi]). and they 
became the ]>arents of fmir children, two of 
whom are now deceased, while the living 
are Hilo l"ae and La Vanhe. Fthel Fern, 
the younger child of Perry Mackiin. is with 
her parents. The father carries on general 
farming and stock raising with good sjuc- 
cess. 

The subject of this re\ iew. Phili]) Mack- 
iin. his son Perry and his grandson Ora are 
all members of the Ma.sonic lodge in Balti- 
more, and belong to the Order of the East- 
ern Star, together with the wi\cs of the son 
and gran.dson. In their lives they are true 
to the te.achings of this fraternity, which is 
based u])on nuitual helpfulness, kindliness 
and charity. They are familiar with the ten- 
ets of the craft and arc \cry loyal to its prin- 
ci])lcs. being accoimted \alued mcml>ers of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 99- 

tlie organizaticiii with which they are identi- sun are likewise advocates <if the Democ- 
lied. The family are also meml>ers of the racy, and the family sustains an unassailable 
Kef(,rmed church and Perrv is ser\-!n£y as its reputation fnr all that is creditable in man- 
trustee. Macklin. his son and grand- liood. 



WILLIAM JAMES HUNTER. 

William J. Hunter, now li\-ing a retired \aluable property. He engaged in teach- 
life at 403 East King street. Lancaster, was ing school for a number of years, being the 
horn on the 15th of ]\Iarch. 1838, five miles first school master of the county, and dur- 
west of that city in Hocking townshtip, ing the summer montlis his attention was 
Fairfield count}-. He represents one of the given to the work of the fields. After some 
old families of this portion o^f the state. His years he sold his first [n-operty and bought 
paternal grandfather. James Hunter, was another cjuarter section of land at, a dis- 
horn in Pennsylvania and acc|uired his early tance niore remote froni Lancaster. Upon 
education in tlie schools there. He after- the second farmi he spent his remaining days. 
ward remo\ed to \'irginia and in 1799 he His political affiliations were with the Whig 
came with the Reese brnthers to Ohio, be- party and in religious faith he was a j\Ieth- 
fore the admission of the state into the odist. 

L''nion. Here he entered a grant of land James Hunter, the father of our suh- 
and the following year he brought his family ject. was born on the old family hmnestead 
from the Old Dominion to the Buckeye one mile west of Lancaster, the place stand- 
state, settling in what is now known as ing near what is known as Hunter's Run. 
Hocking towttLship. Fairfield county, aboiit His natal day was October 25, 1808. At the 
one mile west (if Lancaster. In the fall of usual ag"e he entered school, which was held 
1799 he was married to Miss Margaret in an old log building in Hocking town- 
Reese, a native of Virginia, and they be- shij). Educational prisileges then were as 
came the ]>arents of inur children, Thomas, ]jrimiti\e as the structure which was used 
James. Hannah and a child who died in in- as a school house, but his training at farm 
fancy. On arriving in this county Mr. work was not meager, and at the early age 
Hunter had entered one hundred sixty acres of fourteen years he began to learn the 
of land from the go^•ernment and from the trade of shoemaking. serving a seven years' 
wild tract began the development c:f farm, ap]jrenticeship. He became quite expert at 
which, as the \'ears advanced, bec;une a the work, howe\er. and when five years had 



loo THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



jjassed was put u])( n a salary. He contin- in front oi one anotlier, as tliere was not 
ued to l\>llow shoemaking until his mar- room enough to stand in a single row. When 
riage. at which time he remoxed to a farm twenty-three years of age Mr. ilunter he- 
and carried on agricultural pursuits until gan farming and se\en years later he piu^- 
iH6j. when he sold that i)roj)erty and bouglit chased a farm comi)rising ninety-three acres 
another tract of land three miles north of of rich and arable land, which is in a high 
Lancaster. From the time of his marriage state of cultivation and is now operated by 
until his life's labors were ended he engaged his son Merrill. Mr. Hunter erected his 
in the tilling (if the soil and the improvement residence, which at that time was one of 
of his farm and his lalxirs brought to him the best farm houses in the country. On 
creditable success. As a com])anion and the ist of April, )902, he purchased prop- 
helpmate for the journey of life Mr. Hunter ert\- in Lancaster, where he now lives, re- 
chose ^liss Abigail Gilmore, a native of tired frcm business cares. 
Licking county, Ohio. Their marriage was In i860 occurred the marriage of Mr. 
blessed with eight children: Nancy, the Hunter ami Miss Mary Alice Grier, a na- 
widow of Jac;t>b Lamb; Dilihla. the wife of tive of Plea.sant township, Fairfield county. 
Daniel Smith, of Pleasant township. Fair- and to them have been born ten children, 
field county: George, a resident of Bloom of whom se\en are yet li\ing: Cora, the 
township: F.milv. now deceased; \\'illiam wife of S. Ward, of Lancaster : Blanch, who 
James, the subject of this review: John marrietl Charles Friend, of Richland town- 
Amos, who has also' passed away: Milton, ship: Lulu Maud, who married Colson Lin- 
a resident of Illinois: and Mary Jane, who ville. of East Rushville: Carrie, who became 
has dejjarted this life. The jiarents held the wife i>f h'rank McFarland. nf Lancaster ; 
membership in the Methodist church anfl John (irier. a resident of Lancaster: Mer- 
were devoted Christian pefjiple. who early rill, on the home farm: and William Relna, 
instilled into the minds of their children, also residing in Lancaster. The oldest 
lessons i>f industr\- and honesty. In his child, (i. M. Hunter. s])ent the last ten years 
ixilitical views Mr. Ilunter wtis a pro- of his life preaching in the Ohio cnnference 
imnnced Republican and to(jk a deej) interest of the Methodist b^piscopal church and died 
in the success and gniwth of his party prin- at the age of thirty-five years. 
■ci]>les. In his ]x>litical views Mr. Ilunter is a 
In the common .schools of IMeasant and stalwart Republican and has firm faith in 
Hocking tmvnships. Willi.nn James Hunter the jirinciples of the jKirty as being most 
accinired bis education and afterward en- conducive to good government. He has held 
gaged in teaching for two years in a little a numher of local offices, including that of 
room sixteen bv twenty feet. There were trustee and school commissioner. He has 
oighty-five i)U])ils and when a spelling also been executor and administrator in the 
jnatch was held ihev would have to stand settlement nf a lunnber of estates, and has 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lOI 



beeit called upon to act as guardian, his duty, to every trust reposed in him and 

Througliout his entire life he has resided to his obligations of citizenship, and as a 

in Fairtield county and though his career worthy representative of an honored pioneer 

has not been marked by any events of ex- famil}- he well deser\-es mention in this vol- 

citing interest he has vet been ex-er true to ume. 



JABEZ HEDGES. 



Jabez Hedges was formerly connected 
with agiicultural interests in Fairfield coun- 
ty, but is now identified with building and 
real estate business in Lancaster. He pos- 
sesses the enterprising spirit so typical of 
America, has keen insight into business af- 
fairs, is progressive and energetic, and these 
qualities always form' the foundation of suc- 
cess along such lines. Mr. Hedges has won 
a place among the substanitial residents of 
Fairfield county. 

He is numlbered among Ohio's native 
sons, his birth having occurred in Pickaway 
ciiunty, upon his father's farm near Nash- 
ville. September 4, 1846. His parents were 
Samuel and Lucinda (Hutton) Hedges. 
The former was born in Pickaway county 
in TS22, and there was reared to manhood 
and spent the greater part of his life, be- 
coming a prosiperous farmer, who carefully 
tilled his fields, and as the result of his la- 
bors won prosperity. He died in Fairfield 
ccunty in 1888, having removed to this por- 
tion of the state a few years prior to his 
death. His wife was a native of Green- 
field township, Fairfield county, born in 



1S24. The Hutton family was for many 
years connected with Virginia, but her fa- 
ther, John Hutton, removed to Fairfield 
county, Ohio, becoming one of the pioneer 
settlers here. Unto Samuel and Lucinda 
Hedges were born five children, namely: 
Jabez, of this review; Evylin ; CMithia; 
Charles, residing in Jasper cnuntv, Iowa; 
and Edson. 1 

A retrospective view of the early hfe 
of Jabez Hedges presents him as a student 
in the village schools of P>altimore. He en- 
jnyed the pleasures of the jslay ground in 
the usual manner of faruTer lads of the 
period, and after completing his education 
he engaged in stock businesis in Perry and 
Fairfield cminties. Subsequently he spent 
Some time in L>wa. where he invested in 
real estate, and \\\*m his return to Obio, 
he settled in Violet township, Fairfield coun- 
ty, where he purchased two hundred acres 
of land, which he still owns. This land is 
niiw rented and the rental materially in- 
creases his income. In 1889 Mr. Hedges 
took up his abode in Lancaster, where he 
is engaged in real estate dealing. He has 



I02 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



also erected a number of houses, some oi 
which lie has sold, while others he rents. 
He has a broad and accurate knowledge of 
realtv \alues. and keen discrimination and 
judfi^ment enables him to make judicious in- 
vestments, whereby his financial resources 
have been materially increased. 

Tn 1S78 was celel>rated the marriage of 
Mr. Hedges and ?itiss Lydia L. Shaffer, of 
Fairfield county. Ohio, a daughter of Har- 
rison Shaffer, who lielonged to an old and 
well known family of this county. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. Hedges are acceptable mem- 
bers of the First Presbyterian church, of 
Lancaster and the hf>spitality of many of 
the best homes is freely extended to them. 
They reside at Xo. ion North Columbus 
street, where the\- have a fine residence. In 



his political views ^Ir. Hedges is a Demo- 
crat and while he has never sought or de- 
sired otilice. he is deqjly interested in the 
success of his ])arty and keeping well in- 
formed on the issues of the day, is able to 
support his position by intelligent argu- 
ments. All enterprises which have for their 
object the general good of the community 
receive his endorsement and man\- have 
benefitefl by his co-operation. His business 
career has at all times l^een commendable. 
He has placed his dependence upon the 
substantial qualities of diligence, persever- 
ance and honesty, and steadily has he 
worked his way upward until to-day he is 
the ix>ssessor of a handsome competence and 
also enjoys the merited respect of his fel- 
low men. 



DAVID BROBST. 



Uavid Brobst, <lece;ised. was for many 
years an homored and highly resjjected citi- 
zen of Fairfield county, Ohio. He was Ixirn 
on the loth of March. 1821. in liloom town- 
ship, where he spent his entire life, and rep- 
resented one of the first families in the 
county. He established the ])ostofifice at 
Marcy and there engaged in nicrcli,iii<lising'. 
building up an exteu'sive trade, his patron- 
age steadily increasing as the years passed 
by. He also engaged in bu\ing wixil on a 
\ery large scale, controlling that tr.idc 
through a wi<le area. He also dealt in clover 



seed and in the various branches of his busi- 
ness he met with excellent success, his ef- 
forts l)eing attended by a high degree of 
prosperity. [n'])olitics he generally supjx^rt- 
ed the Rqniblican party and in religious be- 
lief was a Lutheran, holding menrbership 
in Trinity church of Marcy. Mr. Hrobst 
passed away in 1S95, at the age of seventy 
years, and in his death the community real- 
ized that it had lost one of its valued citi- 
zens. He was a very active and infiuential 
man and his efforts had been of ])ractical 
benefit to the ci>mniunitv as well as to him- 




DAVID BROBST 



1 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



105 



self and family, wliile his life was at all 
times consistent with upright husiness ])rin- 
ci]jles an<! manlv conduct. 

Mr. Hriibst was twice married, hi> first 
wife being Leigh Culp, and to tliem were 
lx>rn eight daughters, namely: .\lanerva, 
Malinda. Pauline, Emma, Alice, Sarah, 
Mary and Fannie. On the 19th of Septem- 
jjer, 1876, Mr. Brobst was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Cilicia Dove, \vh(j was also 
born in ISliHun townslii]) in 1^46, and is 
a representative of one of its old and re- 
spected families, being a daughter of Elijah 
and Mary (Small) Dove, the former a na- 
tive of Bloom township and the latter of 
Pennsyhania. Her paternal grandfather 
was Henry Dove, who po.ssessed a most 
wonderful memory. The family was found- 
ed ill Fairfield county at an early period in 
its development and became one of promi- 
nence in Bloom township. The parents of 
Mrs. Brobst were people of religious con- 
victions and earnest Christians, command- 
ing the respect of all with whom they were 
associated. Mr. Dove carried on agricult- 
ural i)ursuits and was well known in p >- 



litical circles, holding a numl>er of town- 
ship offices, in which he discharged his 
duties in a very jjrompt and faithful man- 
ner, lie died in Decemljer, 1896, at the 
age of eighty-four years, having survived 
his wife, who passed away on the ist of 
September, 1884, at the age of sixty-four 
years. She became the mother of fifteen 
children, thirteen of whom reached years of 
maturity, and ten of tlie number are now 
li\ing. 

Mrs. Brobst spent her girlhood under 
the parental roof, where siie became fa- 
miliar with the duties of the household. 
-Since her husband's death she has c induct- 
ed the business which he left and is now 
enjoying a good trade. She carries a com- 
plete stock of merchandise and her earnest 
desire to please, her fair prices and gcx>d 
business methods have won for her \-ery 
gratifying and creditable success. She also 
has charge of the postoiffice. She is a lady 
of unusual ability, possessing business and 
e.xecutive force as well as the graces of so- 
cial life, which render her a favorite in scv- 
cial circles. 



JOSEPH D. SHUMAN. 



Joseph D. Shuman is extensively en- perity coming to him as a direct return of 

gaged in fanning and stock-dealing, his his own well flirected labors. He was born 

home being on section 28, Pleasant town- on the 22nd of September, 1851, in York 

ship, Fairfield county. His has beai an county, Pennsylvania. His father, Joseph 

honorable and successful career, his ])ros- Shnman, was also a native of the Keystone 

6 



too 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



state, his l)irth having occurred in Chester 
county en tlie 2ist of June. 1814. During 
his I)nyhoo(l his parents removed to "^Ork 
county. Pennsylvania, where he was reared 
.'Hid married, the lady of liis ciioice Ijeing 
I'.Hzaljetli Deitz. Tiiey became the parents 
of six children: Maria. Phoebe and EHza 
all died in early womanhood ; Magdalena 
became tiic wife of David Spitler. but is 
now deceased: and William H. died in 
J 899. 

Jose])h ]).. the other member of the fam- 
ily, was reared under the ])arental roof until 
fifteen years of age, when he left the home 
farm and went to York. Pennsylvania. 
There he learned the carpenter and cabinet 
makers trade, serving a three years' ap- 
jirenticeship. during which time he gained 
an accurate and comprehensive knowledge 
of the business. The year 1869 witnessed 
his arrival in Ohio. He took up his alx)de 
in Lancaster and worked at the builder's 
trad^ for five years. On the expiration of 
that ]ierio(l he turned his attention to 
farming. At a later date he also en- 
gaged in the butchering business, but after 
eight years he abandoned the latter jnir- 
suit and in addition to fanning engaged in 
buying an<l shipping cattle, lie is one of 
the largest dealers in live stock in this por- 
tion of the state. On one occasion he had 
five hundred cattle contracted for, these tn 
be delivered within thirty days. He and 
his partner sjiipiied as high as twelve hun- 
dred and tifty-nine cattle inside of sixty days 
and their business in this line reaches two 
hundred and fifty th(>usand dollars aniuiaiiy. 
Mr. .Shuman is an excellent judge of stock. 



as well as a progressive and enterprising 
business man and his efforts have resulted 
in bringing to him a large measure of suc- 
cess. 

In 1874 nccurred the marriage of Jo- 
seph D. Shuman and Miss Julia Macklin. a 
representative of one of the oldest fariTilies 
of this portion of the state. Her paternal 
grandfather, Jacob Macklin. was born in 
Pennsylvania and in the fall of 1799 came to 
Ohio, where with a land warrant he secured 
a large tract of land, including a one-hun- 
dred-and-thirty-five-acre farm, which is now 
the home of our subject and his wife. After 
entering this land Mr. Macklin returned to 
Pennsylvania and in the spring of 1800 
came to Ohio, accompanied by the Hannon 
and Bonsey families. They arrived in Fair- 
field county and settle<l in what is now Pleas- 
ant township. Here Mr. Mackhn married 
Catherine Foster and they became the par- 
ents of six children : Polly married Ben- 
jamin Huber and lx)th died in Findlay. 
Ohio: Sarah became the wife of Emanuel 
Arnold and they reside on the Maumee 
ri\er. near Grand Ra])ids. Ohio: Phoebe Ih.*- 
came the wife of Benjamin Deitz, a fanner, 
but both are now deceased; Lydia married 
RH Shaeffer. an agriculturist, and they ton 
have passed away : Jesse carried on agri- 
cultural inu'suits and is now deceased. The 
VMungest member of the family was Benja- 
min .^. Macklin. the father (tf Mrs. Shu- 
man. lie was i)nrn on the farm where i>ur 
subject now resides on the uth of Septem- 
ber, i8ji. Here he led a (|uiet. industrious 
life, actively engaged in the tilling of the 
soil until called to his final rest on the 8th 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 107 

day of May, 1901. He married Maria lie M. and Gertie Dell, both of whom are 

Frank, a claug-hter of Jacob Frank, wlm young ladies residing- at home. The family 

\va,s a farmer of Lancaster count}-. Penn- is one of prominence in, tlie community and 

sylvania. and was of German descent. the circle of their friends is extensive. Froi-n 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Macklin three chil- the age of fifteen years Mr. Shuman has 

dren were born: Sarah. Ijenjamin F., made his own way in the world and truly 

a farmer now residing on section 28, Pleas- deserves to be numl>ered among the honored 

ant township; and Julia A., the wife of Mr. self-made men, for he has placed his dq>end- 

Shuman. ence upon energy, perseverance and indus- 

The marriage of our subject and his wife try and these qualities have made him one 

has been blessed with two daughters ; Nel- of the substantial citizens of the comrminity. 



WILLIAM C. LEWIS, M. D. 

Dr. Lewis has long maintained a lead- quaintance being very extensive while his 
ing position in the ranks of the medical fra- friends included almost all with whom he 
ternity of P'airfield county and is also known came in contact. He lived to the ven- ad- 
as a valued citizen and a man whose social vanced age of ninety-two years, and at his 
worth is widely recognized. He was born death the county lost one of its honored pio- 
in Rushxille, in the year 1834, his natal day neer settlers. The father of our subject pur- 
being the 1st of June. His father, William sued his early education in Lancaster coimty, 
Barnes Lewis, was born in Lancaster coun- Pennsylvania, in one of the old-time log 
ty, Pennsylvania, December 26, 1799. The school houses, but his privileges were 
grandfather John Lewis, was born in the not very extensive and his knowledge -was 
eastern part of Pennsylvania, and was of largely acquired through extensive reading 
Scotch-Irish descent. Lie became one of the after leaving the school room. He was a 
early settlers of Lancaster county and there man of good niind and excellent ability, 
was born unto him and his wife the fol- In iSrS he became a resident of Fairfield 
lowing children : Jobn A\'.. Frank, Wilson, county. Ohio, settling in Rushville and 
William B. and Eliza Ann. Removing to there he met with .splendid success in his un- 
Ohio the grandfather settled in Rushville dertakings, accumulating a large capital, 
at an early day. For many years he kept He was a carpenter, contractor and builder 
the toll-gate and was a well kncwn figiire and aniong the residetices which he erected 
in the public life of this county, his ac- in Rushville are some which are still stand- 



io8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing today. During- the financial panic of 
1839 lie loaned much money and lost a large 
am^iunt Ijecause of the stringency of the 
times. He made strenuous efforts, however, 
to regaji his lost funds an<l fr(jm 1841 un- 
til 1844 was engaged in the tobacco busi- 
ness, meeting with creditable success in that 
undertaking. 

In tlie year 1831, William Barnes Lewis 
was united in marriage to Miss Susan Coul- 
son, a native of Pennsylvania, born of 
Quaker parentage. She later joined the 
Methodist church, however, and was act- 
ively identifie<l with that determination for 
many years. Her husband was a member of 
the same church and both lived earnest. 
Christian lives. Unto them were lx>rn nine 
children and with one exception all are yet 
living: Caroline is the widow of A. D. 
Fink, and resides in Somerset. The Doctor 
is the second of the family. Lydia is now 
deceased. Louisa R. is the widow of George 
Flegel. John W. is living in Rushville. 
Virginia is the wife of George Book, of 
Rushville. Frank resides near the town. 
Emma is living in northern Ohio. Susan 
is the widow of Doctor Hite, of Thornville, 
and is now remarried. The father of this 
family built the residence in which the Doc- 
tor is now living, but spent his last days in 
a residence opjiosite which he also erected in 
183 1. In early life he was identified with 
the Whig party, but subsequently became a 
Democrat. For a number of years he tilled 
the ofifice of justice of the i)eace, was also col 
lector, and served for two tenns as ma^or 
of the village, his political record l>eing a 
most creditable one. He was also loval to 



public interests when not filling any political, 
position and cooperated in every movement 
for the general goo<l along the lines of sub- 
stantial progress. His life was ever hon- 
iiral)le and upright anil he was found as a 
worthy member of the church and also of 
the Masonic fraternity, which is based upon 
the brotherhotxl of man and the fatherhood 
of God. 

Dr. Lewis of this review is indebted to 
the common-school system of this neighlx)r- 
hood for the educational privileges which 
he enjoyed. He was a student in the district 
schools of Richland township until he was 
twelve years of age. After that time he had 
no educational privileges, but to a mind as 
alert and receptive education comes oft- 
times without the aid of school instruction, 
and through reading, observation and inves- 
tigation the Doctor continually added to his 
knowledge and has long been recognized as 
a gentleman of more than the average intel- 
ligence. At the age of twelve he liegan 
w()rking with his father, with whom he re- 
mained for four years, and then commenced 
teaching school at the age of seventeen. He 
was the teacher of the first high school of 
Rushville. He had a thirst for knowledge 
which he gratified by reading and study in 
the evenings after the work of the day was 
di ne. As an educator he was successful, 
his methods of instruction being such as to 
impress the minds of his pupils. While 
engaged in teaching he also took uj) the 
study of medicine, being at that time twen- 
ty-three years of age. For about six years 
he devoted his evenings to proper reading 
along that line under the direction' of Dr. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



109 



•Hyde, and sul>sequentl\' matriculated in tlie 
Cincinnati C(7llege of Medicine and Surgery. 
In 1S69 he was examined by tlie Ohio State 
Medical Society, was graduated with hon- 
ors and became an honorary member of the 
society. The Doctor began practice in 
Perry count)-. In 1867 he returned to Rush- 
ville, where he has since remained. He soon 
secured a large patronage and for many 
years has been the lo\'ed and trusted family 
physician in many a household. He has 
ever continued a close and earnest student 
of his profession, and has written largely for 
the magazines, gi\'ing to the medical fra- 
ternity the benefit of his own investigations 
and knowledge acquired through active 
■practice. 

In i8s8 the Doctor was married to Miss 



Flnra P. Friend, a native of Fairfield coun- 
ty, Ohio', and to them have been born three 
children : Dr. W". G. Lewis, of Mount 
Sterling, this state; Frank E., who is liv- 
ing in Ruslnille and is engaged in the geni- 
eral mercantile Imsiness ; and Ella, the wife 
of A. L. Baker, a resident of Lancaster. 
Throughout his entire life Dr. Lewis has 
resided in Rushville. with the exception of 
seven years spent in Perrv county. His his- 
tory is therefore largely familiar to many of 
its citizens and in the recoTcl there are no 
turned down pages. It is a lx>ok which all 
may read. Prominent in his profession, 
well liked in social circles, he is now es- 
teemed and honored throughout the com- 
munity in which he has made his home for 
so manv vears. 



WILLIAM H. STRODE. 



William M. Strode is a native son of 
Fairfield county, a ^•alued citizen and repre- 
sentative agriculturist, and at the time of 
the Civil war was a loyal defender of the 
Union cause. His birth occurred in Hock- 
ing township, on the 17th of March, 1840, 
his parents being George H. and Rebecca 
i'.\rnold) Strode. The father was horn 
January 19, 1799. in Berkeley comity. 
West Virginia, and with his father, Edward 
Strode, who was Imrn Xovemiber 3. 176.1. 
came tn Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1804. 
The latter was a son of jeremiali .Strode. 



who was a nati\-e of Virginia, where he 
was born July 4, 1732. A'fter arri\-ing at 
years of nxaturity George H. Strode mar- 
ried Rebecca Arnold a daughter of Daniel 
Arnold, the wedding being celebrated Sep- 
tember 6, 1829. The following year the 
young couple rem(>\-ed to Lancaster and .Mr. 
Strode entered the tanyard of his father- 
in-law, there learning the ta.nning trade. 
After two years' a]>prenticeship he removed 
to his father's farnu in Hocking ti>wnshi[) 
and carried on the tanning business in con- 
nection with the cultivation of the fields. 



lO 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



His life was an active and useful one. He 
abandoned the tanning business alxnit 1855. 
after whicli he devoted his entire attention 
to ag-ricultural pursuits. He had three 
hundred acres of land which lie improved, 
thus becoming- the owner of one of the most 
valuable farms in Hocking township. Both 
he and his wife were devoted and faithful 
memliers of the .Methodist church. His 
death occurred F6l;ruary 5. 1876, on the old 
farm, and his wife passed away in 1896. 
For several years l>cfore lier death she made 
her home with her children. Unti) Mr. and 
Mrs. Strotle were born eight children, four 
sons and four daughters, and of the numfl)er 
four are yet li\ing. Thomas, wlio resides 
in Hocking township, is a farnxer and i> 
al.so a director in llie l-'airtield County Bank. 
Jajiies. win I serxed in tlie Seventeenth Ohio 
InfantP)- for four years diuring the Civil 
war, was afterward sui>erintaident of the 
state house of Columbus, tilling that posi- 
tion to the time of iiis death, wliich oc- 
curred! in 1900. lilizal)etii became tlic wife 
of Roitjert D. Cunningham, a farmer of 
Hocking township, and died in 1868. leav- 
ing three children: George S., a lawyer 
of Lancaster: Henry, a farmer of {locking 
township: and Laura, tlie wife of Lascali 
Shaw, also an agriculturist of Hbcking 
township. Kate, the fourtli member of tlie 
Stroile family, is the wife of I'eter (i. 
Crumley, of I locking towiisliiii. where lie 
follows farming, and they lia\c one child. 
Clarence. William H. is the lifth in order 
of birth. Relvecca is the wife c f Daniel 
Crumley, a fairmer of Hocking towiishi]) 
and they ]ia\e four children: I'l.'uiclie. 
Cloise, Ralph and (ilen. X;incy became the 



wife of Daniel Halderman, of Lancaster, 
and (bed leiiving five children : Ouida, 
Lotta, George, Lela and Boyd. George H., 
the youngest memljer of the family, died in 
1870 at the age of twenty-four years. He 
was a farmer by occupation. 

W'illiam H. Strode, whose name intro- 
duces this record, obtainetl his early educa- 
tion in the district schools ot his towniship 
and in his youth assisted his father upon 
the honxe fami, where he has always re- 
mained. At the time of the Civil war he 
otYered his services to the government, en- 
listing in 18C2 as a member of Company 
D, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry, with which 
he served for two' years and ten months. I)e- 
ing then honorablv discharged at N'aslnille, 
Tennessee. He liad been promoted in the 
meantime to the r.uik of sergeant. He to<.k 
part in the battle of Chickamauga. and im 
all the engagements of the Atlanta can ipaign 
up to and including the battle of Kenesaw 
Mountain, where he was wounded. He, 
howe\er, remained in the service until the 
close of the war, Init was confined in the hos- 
pital during the latter part of the time. Re- 
turning to the north lie resumed work U|)on 
the old homestead and lias since engaged in 
general farming and stock raising, owning 
and operating one hundred and twxv acres 
of the old honie farm. He has since re- 
modeled the house and ' has made many 
other nKKlern ;ind substantial improvements 
which indicate that tlie owner is a prog-res- 
sive and wide-awake man. His fields arc 
c.'ircfully tilled and return to him golden 
liarvcsts for his lalx>rs. and as the vears 
pass he is continually adding to his capital. 
On the _'7th of Xo\ember. iSOO. Mr, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



II I 



Strcxlte was iniited iiT mflrriagfe to Miss 
Laura J. Fink, a ilaughter of William and 
Marv Fink. <>f Pleasant township, both of 
whomi are now deceased. Her father was 
a farmer and at an early day came to' Ohin 
from Virginia, which was the state of his 
nativity. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Strode have 
been born four children. Brezetta is the 
wife of Edwin Beck, a farmer of Hocking' 
township, and they have three children : 
Mal>el, Ruth and Mary. Harvey G. trav- 
els for a Columbus firm. Octavia is the 
wife of C. W. McCray, a farmer of Hock- 
ing township and they have three children : 
Anna'l>el, l,eon and Ronald. Mamie, the 
youngest of the family, is the wife of Mer- 



rill Hunter, an agriculturist uf Pleasant 
township. All of the children were liorn on 
the old home place, where Mr. Strode and 
his wife are yet living. He is a memljtr of 
the Grand: Army of the Republic, l>elonging 
to Ben Butterfield Post, No'. yy, ot Lancas- 
ter, and thus maintains pleasant relations 
with his old army comrades. Li politics he 
is a i-lqxiblican, and is deeply interested in 
the success of the party, but ne\er seeks 
iiffice. All through his life he has been en-> 
gaged in agricultural pursuits and his thor- 
ough understanding of the business, supple- 
mented by diligence and enterprise have 
made him a capable and successful agricul- 
turist. 



FRANK J. BOVING. 



Frank J. Boxing, who is successfully en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits, has resided 
upon his present farm since birth. He was 
born on the 17th of Jainiary, 1831. and is a 
son oi George William Boving, a native of 
Bremen, Gcrmjany, born May 5, 1800. He- 
had three brothers and one sister, all ci 
whom have now passed away. In the \ear 
1848 he emigrated to Fairfield count}'. 
Ohio, locating on a farm now owiied by bi- 
son, Frank J-, in Ijloom township. There 
was some limber 'ctpon the ])lace and Mr. 
Boving, with characteristic energ\'. began to 
clear and dexelopi the land, lie had been 
educated in his native cit\' ;u"id at the aye it 



sixteen was placed in charge O'f a large farm 
in the capacity of superintendent, so that 
his broad experience enabled him to suc- 
cessfully carry on agricultural pursuits on 
his own account. He was twice married. 
In 1833 he wedded Sophia Pfleging and unto 
them were born four chiklren. all ofwhoni 
are nowi deceased. The niKithor passed 
away in 1847 and in 1849 Mr. lioxing was 
again married, his second union l>eing with 
.\malia Paran, of Woo] f Sanger, Germany, 
the ceremon\- being celebrated in Lancaster, 
Ohio. Four chiklren were born of this 
marriage, but tw<i of the number are de- 
ceased. flarr\' R.. a ieweler <if Lancaster, 



I 13 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



beiniJ" l!ie younger of the li\ing; sons. The 
father died Alay 25, 1890, after a long resi- 
dence in Fairfield county, during which 
time he won many friends l>y reason of his 
upright character. 

In tlie district schools of Fairfield coun- 
ty, Frank J. Boving pursued his education 
and his Inisiness training was received upon 
the home farm, where he early became fa- 
miliar with all the duties and labors that 
fall to the lot of the agriculturist, in 1879 
he was united in marriage to Dora Scliaer. 
a daughter of August iSciiacr. wlm came 
from Hanover, Germany, to the United 
States. In 1844 he t<«>k up his alxxle in 
Bloom township. Fairfield county, where he 
lived until seventy-four years of age, pass- 
ing awav in ]88(^). Ills wife, who Ijore the 
maiden name of .Augusta I-'rcmime. died in 
1890 at the age of sixty-two years. They 
were the parents of si.v children, all of 
whom are yet living, nanxely : Ida, the 
wife of Justus (inimnie. of Lancaster: Mrs. 
Boving: Edward (]. .wIkj is living in lilooni 
town.ship: Frank G., of Violet township: 
Mrs. \iUnnia .\lsnach, of Columbus; and 



Amelia, a resident of Carroll. The father 
was a well educated man and an extensive 
reader, keeping well informed on all the is- 
sues and questions of the day. He held 
membership in the Lutheran church, was 
always one of its ofificers and for a long 
time served as its treasurer. He was a ix>p- 
ular citizen owing" to his genial disiKfsition 
and reliability in all the walks of life. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Boving 
was blessetl with three children, but -AKig- 
ust, their first born, his natal day being Sqj- 
temilier 3, 1880. died in infancy. Tlie others 
are Antoni.i, lioi-n Noxember 22. i88fi. and 
Louis W'alter, born August 7. 1890. The 
parents hold membership in the Zion Evan- 
gelical church, of which Mr. Boving is 
ser\ing as treasurer. They contribute lib- 
erally to its support and are well known 
])eople of the community. ha\ing many 
■friends throughout Fairfield county. In his 
business undertakings Mr. Boving' has met 
with creditable and ileserved success. He 
has realized that industry is the foundation 
of all prosperity and with unremitting dili- 
gence he has carried on his farm work. 



SAMUEL A. GRISWOLD. 



While Samuel .\. (iriswuid did nni at- lie who i^ the suhject of thi> memoir, on ac- 

tain to ;my ])osition of especial prominence count of his calm, clear, unbiased judgment, 

or ]>olitical importance, there was i)rol)a1)ly his honorable puri>ose, his keen insight into 

no private citizen of Lancaster who exerted affairs of the day and into future possi- 

a stronger or more beneficial influence than l/ilities, and iiis unf.iltcring fidelitv to what 




<V. JY. 'V^/U-Wa!'-. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



"5 



he believeil to lie right. So devoted was he 
to family and friends that he lias made tliem 
feel that 

"He was a man, take him for all in all ; 
I shall not kx>k upon his like again." 

Samuel Alexander Griswold was born 
in Columbus. Ohio, February i8, 1815, of 
Connecticut jiarentage, and is said to have 
l>een the first white child Imrn in that city 
after it was made the state capital. His par- 
ents. Judge Ezra and Philecta (Cooke) 
Griswoikl. of Delaware. Ohio., were among 
the first settlers of Franklin county, the 
Griswolds arri\'ing from Tariffville. Conr 
necticut. in 1803. while the Cookes came 
about ten years later. They were married in 
W'orthington. Ohio, in 1814. and Judge 
Griswold was one of the firm which founded 
the Ohiii. .State Journal, and both before and 
after this he published papers at W'orthiing- 
ton and Delaware, Ohio, being at one time 
the owner and proprietor of tlie Gazette 
pu1>lished in the latter city. He died at the 
old hiimestead in Delaware in 1863, and his 
wife jiassed away in Brooklyn. New York, 
at the home of her adopted daughter. Mrs. 
Lester R(iberts. si.xteen years later. Judge 
Griswold wa,s more than an ordinary man. 
He was a rigid disci])] inarian. comiing. as he 
did, frcni the rugged hut austere P'ilgMnm 
■stock, and princi])les of honestv and fair 
dealing were early inculcated in hns nature. 
His extreme justice and fairness made him 
lioniired by all and his death was a sex'ere 
blow til his friends throughout the state. 

^^"hen but three years of age our subject 
-\vas' taken by his parents to WVirthington. 



nine miles distant from his native oitv. Dur- 
ing that year he was taught his letters and 
before his fifth year was regularly attend- 
ing one of the private schools of the time 
and had become a good reader. During his 
sixth year he learned to set type in his fa- 
ther's printing cftice at W'orthington, anil 
in another }-ear he was of considerable as- 
sistance as a compositor of the paper. From 
this time on he alternated between the print- 
ing oflice and pri\'ate schools and academies 
of the perirxl until his eighteenth year, when 
he entered the preparatory school connected 
with Kenyon College, at Gambier, Ohio. 
He completed his text-book education by an 
irregular college course terminating in 1835. 
In 1838 Air. Griswold became the proprietor 
of the Tiffin Gazette, a small sheet which 
had maintained a \erv unisatisfactorv e.x- 
istence for a few years. That paper he con- 
ducted through the memorable campaign of 
1840, which ended in the election of General 
William Henry Harrison. Mr. Griswold 
continued at Tiffin until 1843. 

In Jainiary. 1830. be had married Miss 
Ethehn • Kelley, of Delaware, Ohio, and 
they resided at Tiffin until 18-14. during 
which time their two eldest children were 
lji>rn. In that year they remoA-ed to Marion, 
Ohio, where Air. Griswold took charge of 
the Buckeye Eagle, a Whig paper w hich had 
just been established liy T. P. Wallace and 
of which Mr. Griswold remained editor un- 
til alicrtit t84(^. wdien the pai)er was sold. In 
that _\-ear our subject was aijp'iinted post- 
master of M'arion. under Zachary Taylor, 
and continiied in the office until 1853. in 
that year he was defeated as a candidate for 



Ii6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sheriff of Marion county, but in 1854 was 
elected county auditor by a niajtjrity of two 
lilinidretl and thirty-six over Richard Wil- 
son, the Democratic candidate, wlio had 
been an invincible caai<lidate for cHfferent 
offices for o\er thirty years. Mr. Grisvvold 
had been nominated l)y the Know-Xothing^ 
]>arty without his knowledge and was 
electe<i almost before he knew that his name 
had l)een placed on the ticket. In 1856 he 
w^as re-elected and proved a most capable 
ofificer. and for two years he also served as 
justice of the i^eace. He was further idaiti- 
fied with business affaars of Marion l>y serv- 
ing for two years as bookkeejier and teller 
in the Rank of Marion. 

The year 1861 witnessed the arri\al of 
Mr. Griswold in Lancaster, where he re- 
sided up to the time of his death. He was 
first emjjloyed as sui^rintenflent of the 
pharoty]>e plate factory owned b\' his 
brother. \'. M. (iriswold. l-'rom May, 
1865. until January. 1.SO6, he was emi)loved 
as a clerk in the (|uarter-master"s dei)art- 
ment of Sherman's army, at Raleigh. North 
Carolina, under General J. V. lioyd. Re- 
turning to Lancaster he purcha.>;ed the inter- 
est of A. P. Miller in the LanciLster (ia- 
zette. assuming his editorial duties in I'ch- 
ruary. ^H()C). being thus engaged u}) to the 
time of his death. For thirty years he ably 
conducted that paper, and after his retire- 
ment there a])peared in an editorial the fol- 
lowing: 

"From the day of the ap])earance of his 
manly and forceful salutatory articles until 
his voluntary relin<|uishment of the chair of 
editor, in 1896. Mr. Griswold was the Ga- 



zette's guiding .spirit, placing the paper 
ujjon its present proud and pr<>si)erous \x>- 
siition as a Republican organ." 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Griswold were lx>rni 
four daughters and three sons, and one 
daughter and one son, together with the 
mother, passed away several years ]>rior to 
the death of Mr. Griswold. The surviving 
members of the family are Mrs. Ada Sif- 
ford, Mrs. George Halderman. Mrs. L But- 
terfield, of Fostoria, Ohio, S. G. V. Gris- 
wold. who is connected with the OmaJia 
World, and H. W. Griswold. Mr. Gris- 
wold was most dev^oted to his fajTuily and 
friends, and had a pleasant, genial manner 
which made him a prime favorite with 
young and old, rich and poor. He was very 
Ijromiment in public affairs tending to the 
welfare and contributing to the progress of. 
the community. He served as secretary of 
b'airfield county L'nion party and in Jui>€, 
i86(), was a member of the Fairfield dele- 
gation of that party in the state convention 
at Columbus. Ohio, other delegates Ijeing 
H<x-king H. Hunter. Colonel John M. Con- 
nell. C. M. S. Wi.seman. C. F. Shaffer, A. P. 
Ashbrook. Josiah l-'lattery. Captain L. Pick- 
ering, John A. Fetters, John A. Himter. 
1 le was for many \cars the .-secretary of the 
Republican county conmiittee and at the 
ccHivention was the most prominent delegate 
in the promulgation of the ]Kirty"s |;lat- 
I If was secretarv t:f the I locking \ alle\' 
I lorticulinral Society for a long period and 
no movement or niieasure calculated to prove 
of general good sought his aiil in vain. 

.Mr. firiswold died at two o'clt ck oit 
Sunday morning of the 15th of October, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



117 



1899, after an illness of two weeks. A few 
hours prior to his death he siimmioned the 
members of his family who were within call 
and toJd them that the end was near. He 
retained his mental ix>wers tO' the last and 
when he closed his eyes in the last sleep' his 
passing away was so quiet and i>eacefid that 
those by his bedside hardly realized that the 
end had come. One who , knew him long 
and initimately for many )'ears and perhaps 
understood his character, his desires, his 
ambitions and his man/hood better than any 
other person outside of his own family, 
said : 

"Death has removed from our midst one 
of the best and purest men who' have lived in 
Lancaster in the last thirty-eight years. He 
came to us in 1861, a modest, unknown 
man, in the prime of life, and soon took his 
place among the foremast and ablest men of 
Lancaster, and throughout his career here 
his modest, unobtrusive life was the admira- 
tion of all who knew him. He had known 
Charles Parsons, Edwin M. Stanton and 
President Hayes in his boyhood and was 
their schoolmate, and when these distin- 
guished men had reached the zenith of their 
fame he was too modest to make this fact 
known in the columns of his p-aper. The 
high moral character of Mr. Griswold was 
one of his chief characteristics. Im this re- 
spect he was a model for young men — for 
all men. The writer had been his neighbor 
for more than a quarter of a centuiy and he 
never knew him to be guilty of a mean 
thing or of an act to bring the blusli to the 
cheek of any of his friends. His high char- 
acter is now the heritage of h'ls children and 



it will be fore\'er enshrined in the memory 
and hearts of his friends." 

J'he Gazette, in speaking of Mr. Gris- 
wold, who was SO' long an active factor in. 
its publication, said : 

"As a writer on subjects in which the 
common people were interested, and on mat- 
ters of state ami national concern, Mr. Gris- 
wold had but few equals. His style was 
plain and simple, but as clear and fi.rcetul 
as pure and puissant English could make it. 
Of keen perception, great analytical powers- 
and with nothing but honesty of purpose 
and goodness of heart to sway him, his 
judgment of men and measures was invari- 
ably fulfilled and verified in succeeding 
events and results attained. * * * His 
character was not one calling for eulogy on- 
account oif a brilliant public career ; but it 
was one to be held by all who- enj< yed his 
acquaintance and the products oi his pen in 
a. true regard and abiding remembrance, for 
the unostentatious influence of a good ancf 
pure life. It was not the to'rrent. madly 
rushing- down the mountain-side, but rather 
the gentle river, whose silently majestic 
flow is the attribute of depth and volume, 
and which imparts richness and benefits on- 
all sides as it flows." 

Faultless in honor, fearless in ciitiduct, 
stainless in reputation, such was tlie life 
record of Samuel Ale.Nander Griswold. His 
schidarly attainments, his statesmanship, his 
reliable judgment and his charming jinwers 
of cona'er.sation would ha\-c enabled him to 
fill and grace anv jxisition liowe\'er exalted, 
an-d he was not the less honored in public 
than loved in private life. 



ai8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



IRA ASHBROOK. 



Ira Ashbrook was lx)ni in Amanda 
township upon a farm noted for its well 
Jcept appearance, being- an indicatiort of his 
careful supervision and progressixe meth- 
ods of farming. His birth occurred May 
i6, 1856, and he represents an old Virginia 
family that was established in Fairfield coun- 
ty when this section of the state was but 
just emerging from primitive conditions. 
His paternal grandfather. William A.sh- 
brook, was a native of Virginia, and in that 
state wedded Permelia Peters, who was also 
Ixjrn in the Old Duminio. Thinking that 
he might provide a better home for his fam- 
ily and more readily acquire a comfortable 
living in the newer districts of the west he 
left his \'irginia home and came to Ohio, 
Fairfield C(nmt\' being bis destination. He 
settled ill Amanda township, -acquiring a 
tract of wild, unimproved land, and at once 
l>egan clearing away the timber in order to 
cultivate the fields. As the years passed his 
lal)iirs bnre ti> him good crops and his finan- 
cial resiiurces were increased. His home 
was in .Amanda township. There, through- 
out bis remaining days, he carried on agri- 
cnltur.'d pursuits, but he was called to his 
final rest at the ci;mi)arativcly early age of 
forty-fi\e years. His wife, however, long 
survived him and reached the extreme old 
age of ninety-two years. 

Among their children was William Asb- 
Tjrook, the father of imr subject, whose birth 
occurred here on the i>ld family homestead. 
He too became a farmer. Early in life be 
became familiar with all the duties and la- 



bors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. 
As the years passed more and more of the 
farm work de\-eloped upon him. He con- 
tinued to make his h(mie in Fairfield coun- 
ty until 1885, when he rauoved to Pick- 
away county, sjiending his last days in Ash- 
ville. He departerl this life about two years 
ago and the comnumity lost one of its hon- 
ored and esteemed citizens, a man wiho was 
ever on the side of progress and improve- 
ment. He never sought or desired office, 
but was content to do his duty as a private 
citizen, llis political support was given to 
the Republican party and lie strongly en- 
dorsed its i>rinciples as 1>est calculated to 
serve the interests of the nation. He was suj) 
porter of the Baptist church and his ex- 
ample \vas in many respects a noble one. 
He married Xaiicy Fledges and her death 
occurred about twelve years ago. She was 
born in Pickaway county and was a devot- 
ed wife and mother. In the family were 
seven children, the subject of this review 
being the sixth in order of birth. 

Tra AshbriKjk s]ient bis early Ijoyhood 
(lavs in a manner not unusual to most boys of 
that period. He enjoyed the jjleasures of 
the plavground, jierfonned the duties of the 
sciiool-room and a.ssisted in the work of 
cultivating field and meadow on the old 
homestead farm. To his father he gave the 
benefit of his services until he liad attained 
his majority, when be started out in life 
en his own account. In 1882 he rente<l a 
farm which he cultivated lor two years, 
;ind then jjurcbased the jjlace whereon 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ii9> 



lie was Ixirii. a tract of one hundreil 
;in(l tliirt_\--t\v(> acres. Alany improve- 
ments liere fomid are tlie visible evidences 
of liis progressive spirit and his life of ac- 
ti\it\'. He is well kni,wn as a progressive 
agricnltnrist and his reliabilit}- in all trade 
transactions, and his course is dominated by 
an unflagging industry. 

In 1882 occurred the marriage of ]\Ir. 
Ashbrook and Miss Ida Ann Hutchins, of 
Amanda township, a daughter of Amos 
Hutchins, who is one of the highly esteemed 
citizens of Fairtield county. Hie makes his 
home upon a farm in Y\manda township, and 
it was in this townsiiip that his birth oc- 
curred January II, 1834. His parents were 
John and Rebecca (Dysinger) Hutchins, 
the former born in Maryland, whence he 
came to Ohio at an early day, locating in 
Amanda township, Fairfield count}'. Here 
he engaged in farming and stock-raising, 
and throughout the remainder of his life 
made his home in Amanda township, but 
three years ago he was called to his final 
rest. He held the office of township treas- 
urer for several years and was a leading 
and influential citizen, worthy of the high- 
est regard of his fellow men. He became 
the owner of four hundred and seventy-fi\'e 
acres of land, all of which he placed under 
cultivation. His political support was given 
the Democracy. His wife passed away some 
)-ears previous to the death of her husband. 
She was a nati\-e of Fairfield county and 
a daughter of George Dysinger, one of the 
honored and pioneer settlers of this por- 
tion of the state. Kmos Hutchins was one 
of a family of six children, four of whom 
are vet living. He has alsoi resided in Fair- 



field county and to the public-school sys- 
tem he is indebted for the educational priv- 
ileges which he enjoyed. His farm train- 
ing was recei\-ed under his father's direc- 
tii;n on the old familv homesteail, and there 
he remainetl until a short time before at- 
taining liis majority, when he started out in 
life u]3nn his own- account. He had no cap- 
ital with w hich to purchase land and for a 
number of years he rented a farm, lint at 
length, lia\ing acijuired a considerable sum 
of money, he purchased one hundred and sev- 
enty-five acres ot' land, upon which he erect- 
ed a large brick dwelling house in 1882. 
He also made • other substantial improve- 
ments, and his is now one O'f the model 
country homes of this portion of the state. 
He exercises his right of franchise in sup- 
port of the men and measures of the Democ- 
racy, but the honors and emoluments of of- 
fice have had no attraction for him. Amos 
Hutchins married Laviiia Phillips, a daugh- 
ter of Daniel Phillips, of Pickaway county,. 
a prominent and progressive farmer, who 
died there at an d\anced age. Mrs. Hutch- 
ins died upon the old h(_)me place in 1883. 
She w'as a member of the Lutheran church, 
to which j\Ir. Hutchins alsO' belongs, and in 
her family life she was a most kind and con- 
siderate wife and mother, finding her great- 
est happiness in ])r(nioting the welfare and 
comfort of her husband and children. Unto 
Mr. and ?^Irs. Hutchins were born six chil- 
dren : Henry died at the age of sixteen 
years. Vallandingham died at the age of 
eighteen years. Charles, a resident farm- 
er of Licking cotinty, Ohio, married ]Min- 
nie Williamson, of Amanda township, a 
daughter of Jabez and Rebecca J. (Harri- 



I20 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



:son I Williamson. They had four children : 
Hazel. Homer. Ida Ethel and Mary. Ida 
istlie wife of Ira Ashbrook, the subject of 
thi.s review. Isaac resides upon the old 
home place, devoting his energies to farm- 
ing. John is associated with his brother in 
agricultural |>ursuits. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Ashbrook 
has been ])lessed with four cliildren: Edna 
L., Agnes B.. Florence M. and A. Raymond. 
^1! of whfnn were lx>rni on the old home 
farm and are still with their parents. Mr. 



Ashbrook gives his political support to the 
Republican party, and keeps well informed 
on the issues and questions of the day. but 
has ne\er been an office seeker. He sup- 
ports the Lutheran ' church ami his hearty 
co-operation is given to all measures that 
are for the general gfK)d. His name is a 
synonym for integrity in business affairs, 
and throughout the count \' of his nativity 
wherever he is known he is greatly esteemed 
for his sterling worth and high moral 
character. 



JOHN T. BUSBY. 



The life history of Judge John Theo- 
dore Iiusby is that of one who is a high 
ty]>c of our American manhood^straight- 
forward and honorable in business, public- 
spirited and enterprising, and in public of- 
fice ])lacing the good of the commturity be- 
fore self-aggran<lizement. For almost for- 
ty years he was continuously in public of- 
fice and over the record of his official career 
there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion 
of evil. There is ])articular satisfaction in 
reverting to his history, for his mind bears 
the im]jress of the historic annals of the 
state from the early pioneer days. He was 
born in the villa.gc of Royalton. Fairfield 
•county, on the 25th of Sei>tember. 1827. and 
on the paternal side is of Irish descent and 
-on the maternal of German linea,ge. His 
.^reat-grand father. John Busby, was a na- 



ti\"e of Ireland and ni.arried Miss Mary 
Ste\ens. a nati\e of Scotland. He became 
the founder of the family in .\merica. a"; 
w'cW as the first representative of the name in 
this county. Ily trade he was a car])enter and 
carried on business aUmg that line through- 
out his entire life in order to provide for his 
family, liis death occurred in tlie village 
of Royalti n in the year i8i<). 

Samuel S. I'.nsl)\-. the father of mir sul>- 
ject, was bi 111 in Knyalton. January j8. 
I7c;8. — before the admission of Ohio into 
the I'nion. He was a machinist and farmer 
and was a representative and valued citizen 
of the ci^mmunity in pioneer times, .\fter 
arri\ing at years of matin'ity he first mar- 
ried Catherine Trone, in 18 19. and after her 
death married .\nn Maria Fetters, who was 
born in Lancaster county. Pennsylvania, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



121 



and came to Fairlield county, Ohio, with her 
parents, jnlm and EHzabeth (Dabler) Fet- 
ters, when a child. It was in the year 1803 
that her iiarents emigrated westward and 
cast in their la with the first settlers of 
this portion of the state. Their first home 
was built O'f logs with a mud and stick 
chimney and the furnishings were of a most 
primitive character, but poineer conditions 
Avere eventually replacerl by the comforts and 
conrveniences of an older civilization and 
the pioneer families of which the Judge is 
a representati\-e became possessed of good 
homes and valuable farms. His father died 
in this county in 1835 and liis mother passed 
away in 1832, leaving three children: John 
T., of this review; (George \\'.. a minister 
of the Lutheran church ; and Elizabeth, who 
died in childhood. Mr. Busby was again 
married, his third wife being Rachel Fet- 
ters. 

The Judge Avas enabled to secure such 
educational discipline as was aiiforded by 
the ]niblic schools of an early day and later 
he attended a jjrivate school, while subse- 
<|uent to that period he became a student in 
Lancaster, under the instruction of Pro- 
fessor Gorxl. When he had completed his 
education he liegan working at the cabinet 
maker's trade, which he learned under the 
direction of Henry Shultz, and was thus as- 
sociated with the improvement of Lancas- 
ter. .\fter his marriage he settled on a 
farm in Pleasant township, Fairfield coun- 
ty, and turned his attentii>n to agricultural 
pursuits, which he followed successfully for 
many years. His enterprise and diligence 
enabled him to graduallv advance to the 



plane of affluence and he is now accounted 
one of the sul)Stantial citizens of the county, 
ha\'ing acc|uire(l a handsome competence, 
w hich now permits him to retire from active 
Inisir.ess life. 

In the vears of his early manhoud Mr. 
Busby sought a companion and helpmate for 
the journey of life and was happily married 
to Miss Lavina Smetters, of Fairfield coun- 
tv, a daughter of George and Susan Smet- 
ters, honored ])iuneer people of this coim- 
ty. As the years passed eleven children 
were atkled to the household: Clara, the 
wife of James Robinson: Mary ,\., the wife 
of James Smith, of Walnut township; Sam- 
uel F., of Columbus, Ohio; Charles G., a 
farmer; James \N ., an operator for the Ohio 
Central Railroad Company : Susan M., at 
home; Lavina J., the deceased wife of 
Mathias Miller; John T.. who acted as his 
father's deputy in the office of county treas- 
urer, but is now deceased; Cora A., the wife 
of S. A. Krepps. an insurance agent of Co- 
lumbus: Myrtle Belle, at home: and Sarah 
L., a clerk in the Lancaster County Bank. 
The wife and mother passed to the home 
beyond in 1896. 

The Judge is an unfaltering adherent of 
the Democracy, endorsing the irrincipies ad- 
vocated by Jefl:'ersi>n. In early manhood 
he Avas elected justice of the peace and filled 
that position for twenty-five consecutive 
vears, during which time a number of cases 
which he tried were appealed, but in no in- 
stance was his decision ever reversed. Dur- 
ing this time he acquired a very thorough 
knowledge of common law. He afterward 
accepted the position of deputy county treas- 



122 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



iierer and served for four years under H. 
A. Martens and for a similar peri<:<l under 
Michael Hickle. I'revious to that time he 
was for four years trustee of the iiitinnary 
and was iMie of its directors for three vears. 
In 18X4 he was elected prohate judge of 
l'"airtiekl county and received nineteen hun- 
dred \otes — the largest number gi\en to any 
man on the ticket. He assumed the duties 
of the (jffice in Fel)ruary, 1885, for a term 
of three years, and in 1887 ^'^'^^ re-elected 
to the same office, in which he served until 
February, 189 1, covering six years, in which 
his fairness, impartiality and capability won 
him high commendation, as when a justice 
his decisions were never reversed. Such 
has been his official career — the account 
thereof being as an oi>en book bearing the 
closest in\'estigation and scrutinv. For 
some time Judge Busby was ]>resident of 



the Fairfield County Agricultural Society 
and he belongs to Charity Lodge, Xo. 7, 
1. O. O. F., in which he passed all the chairs. 
During the Ci\il war the Judge assisted in 
organizing a company of militia, of which 
he was captain. He was twice called out 
during the ]VIorgan raid, but never was in 
an engagement, as Morgan soon retreated. 
He is a meml>er and trustee of the Meth- 
odist church and his influence has ever been 
on the side of right and progress. He has 
now passed the seventy-fifth milestone on 
life's journey, but still maintains an active 
interest in his native county. He has at- 
tained to a ])osition of prominence in the 
county in which he was born and reared 
and in which he has retained his residence 
to the present time, being now one of the 
revered and venerable pioneers of the com- 
munitv. 



WILLIAM SHARP. 



Fortunate is the man who has back of 
him an ancestry honorable and distin- 
guished, and happy is he if his lines of life 
are cast in harmony therewith. 'Hie Sharp 
family has through almost an entire century 
been closely associated with the history of 
Fairfield county, its members taking a very 
])rominent and active ])art in ])olitical and 
business affairs, their efforts being of 
marked value in a<lvancing genera! progress. 
Through four generations the family has 



l)een represented in the Ohio legislature, the 
paternal grandfather of our subject, Joseph 
Sharp, serving as a meml>er of the first gen- 
eral assembly of this state. He was boni 
in Pennsylvania and in 1802 emigrated to 
this .state, casting in his lot with its i>ioneer 
settlers who were laying broad and deep the 
foundation for the present prosperity and 
progress of the community. He died on a 
farm one mile north of St. Clairsville. 
Josq)h Sharp, Jr., the father of our sub- 




WILLIAM SHARP 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



125 



ject. was born in the Keystone state, June 
4, 1800, an<l was unly two years old when 
brought by his parents to Ohio, whtre amid 
the wild scenes uf the frnntier he was 
reared, jiursuing- his education in the old- 
time lug school house. The family first set- 
tled in Belmont county, where they lived for 
about twent}-one years. They then removed 
to Muskingiim county and the father of our 
subject ])urchased a farm of one hundred 
and sixty acres in the midst of the dense 
forest. He continued to make it his place 
of abode through the succeeding seventeen 
years, going then to Taylorsxille, wheref 
lie built a dam across the Muskingum river. 
There he remained until coming to Fairfield 
county in 1839. Here he purchased the 
farm upon which Wilham Sharp is now 
living. He made his way to this county in 
order to buikl the dam which is now knoiwn 
as Sharp's dam, and being pleased with the 
district he decided to remove his family to 
this place. In connection with the home 
farm he inu'cliased the mill laiul, consisting 
of three hundred and twenty acres. In 
1822 Joseph Sharp had been married to 
Miss Anna Lee. a native of Belmont county, 
Ohio, and they Ijecame the parents of eleven 
children, namely : Robert L., James and 
Jose])h, who have all passed away : \Vill- 
iam, the subject of this sketch; Mary, who 
married Daniel Stuckey, of Sugar Grove; 
Agnes, who has also passed away ; George, 
living about two miles east of Rushville; 
John, who resides near Pleasantville ; and 
three children who died in infancv. Mr. 
Sharp exercised his right of franchise in 
support of the men and measures of the 
Democrat party and upon that ticket was 



elected to the state legislature in 1843, 
proving to be an active working member of 
the b(jd_\'. He was also justice of the peace, 
school director and trustee, filling the latter 
position for a number of years. He and his 
wife were members of the United Presby- 
terian church and he belonged to the Ma- 
sonic lodge in Zanes\ille. He possessed 
great energy, determination and activity, 
and it was his constant desire to progress. 
In speech he was frank, in manner genial 
and cordial, and all who knew him were 
counted among his friends. 

William .Sharp was born in Muskingum 
county, Ohio, November 17, 183 1, and ob- 
tained his mental discipline in the schools of 
Berne townshi]) and in Lancaster, where he 
remained until aljout se\'enteen years oi age. 
He then gave his entire attention to farm 
w'ork upon the old family homestead and 
after his marriage he purchased a farm 
about one mile from the old place, becoming- 
owner of a tract of ninetv-eight acres, which 
his well-directed laljors transformed into« 
rich and arable fields, returning to' him ex- 
cellent harvests. 

The lady who' presides over his home 
was in her maidenhood Miss Ellen J. Cut- 
ler, a native of Athens county. Ohio. The' 
wedding was solemnized in 1859 and eight 
children have been lx)rn unto them : Charles 
C, a resident of West Virginia; Joseph, 
who resides on a fann adjoining iiis father's 
place; Thomas, who is at home with his 
father; Jennie, who resides in Nelsonville,. 
Ohio; Frederick, also at home; William, 
who makes his home in California; John, a: 
resident of Oregon; and Annie, who mar- 
ried R. J. Conrad, of Lancaster. In his 



126 



THE BIOGRArinCAL RECORD. 



political views Mr. Sharp endorses the ©t his life lie has been connected with the 

Democracy antl has served as township school board, and the cause of education 

treasurer, while for a number of years he finds in him a warm friend who does all 

has been township trustee. During one-half in his power for its advancement. 



CLARENCE M. ROWLEE. 



The efforts of Clarence M. Rowlee in 
the field oi business activity have been of 
such a character as to promote the prosper- 
ity of the entire community. He is now the 
fiekl sui)erintendent of the Columbus (Ohio) 
Natural Gas & Fuel Company, with head- 
quarters at Lancaster and for a nunrl^er of 
years has been activel)' associated with the 
work of developing the gas regions of this 
]K)rtion of the stale. He was lx>rn in Pot- 
ter county, Pennsylvania, and pursued his 
education in the schrx>Is there. His parents, 
\\'illi;nii and Mary ( i>ovier) Ri>wlec, were 
both natives of New York, but for many 
years resided in the Keystone state, where 
the father carried on agricultural [lursuits. 

I'piin the home farm our suliject was 
reared and carl\ became familiar with the 
duties and labors of the fields. Later, how- 
ever, he became connected with the oil 
tielfls of Peiuisylvania. where for a time lie 
was eiTjployed in the capacil\- of a clerk and 
afterward engaged in pros]>ecting and oper- 
ating. In 1885 iie left the oil fields of Brad- 
ford, McKean county, Pennsylvania, dis- 
posing of his interests there and came to 
Ohio, where he inspected the gas lielib in 



and around Lima and for two years he 
worked there. Later he entered the em- 
ploy of the Peoria. Decatur & Eastern 
Railroad*, with headquarters at M'attoon, 
Illinois. ,\fter two years si>ent in this oc- 
cui)ation he came to the vicinity of Lancas- 
ter and a short time afterward entered the 
employ of the Colunil>us (Ohio) Natural 
(ias Company. i>f which he was made the 
held superintendent, lie was amoug the 
first to drill a well, which was sunk to the 
depth of two thousand feet and afterward to 
tweiUx'-fcnu" hundred. This work was ac- 
complishe«l in 1889 and he, as a meniljer, 
met with a fair degree of success. Xtrt only 
the stockholders of the com]>any biu also 
outside parties became con\inced that the 
gas belt of this iK>rtion of the state had Ijeen 
(lisco\ered. Improxed niachinery was pur- 
chased. i)ipe lines established and a reducing 
station built, Mr. Rowlee having sui)ervis 
ion of all the de]Kirtments of the operative 
work. His good judgmeiU. coujiled with 
long experience, has made him an efiticient 
superintendent, who capably directs the 
wiork of fifty or sixty eiu])loyes in the com- 
pany's ser\ice. He now occuiiies a pleas- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



127 



imt office in the new Marten block of Lan- 
caster and from that place tUrects all ibusi- 
ness. Under his capable nianageniient the 
enterprise has prO'ven a profitaWe one and 
is dmibtless in the beginning of its useful- 
ness., 

In 1890 Mr. Rowlee was united in mar- 
riage to Mrs. Julia Boyer, of Columbus, 
Ohio, who by her fomier husband'. George 
Boyer, had a daughter, Helen. Mr. Row- 
lee is a prominent Mason and has passed 
"beyond the degrees of Lancaster Lodge, No. 
.57, F. & A. M., becoming a meiniber of the 



chapter and the commandery of this place. 
He is also identifietl with Mount Pleasant 
Lodge, No. 48, K. of P. ; Chickasaw Tribe, 
No. 100, I. O. R. .M., of Thurston; the 
Unit}- Senate, No. 25, (»f the Ancient Es- 
senic Order, of Lancaster, and the K. O. T. 
M., No. 57, of Lancaster. Mr. Rowlee is 
a typical American citizen, enterprising, 
progressive and alert. He is constantly on 
the outlook for broader business opportuni- 
ties and his capability has already secured 
to him a responsible position in the world 
of industrial activity. 



CAPTAIN OLIVER B. BRANDT. 



Man is ne\er called u]>on to- make a 
greater sacrifice than when he puts aside all 
business and personal relations, severs family 
ties and goes forth in defense of Jiis coiuntry 
cr of a people to face danger and perhaps 
deiith upon the field of battle, yet many 
thousands C'f the nation's bravest sons man- 
ifested their loyalty to the Lini(jn cause 
when the south attempted to' set at naught 
the ptnver of the national goN-ernment in 
1861. Captain Brandt was among those 
who joined the northern army and faith- 
fuli\- did he follow the call of duty wber- 
e\ er it led, his bravery and meritorious con- 
<kict winning him promotion until a ca])- 
tain's commission was conferred u])<in him. 
He is now munibered among- the farmers 
and stock raisers of Fairfield count\-, his 



home being on section 6, Greenfield town- 
ship. 

Captain Brandt was born March 26, 
1838, in this coimty. His father, Adam 
Brandt, was born near Carlisle, Pennsyl- 
\'ania, June 24, 1800, a son of David 
Brandt, also a native of the Keystone state. 
When a youth of twelve years Adam 
Brandt was brought by his parents to Ohio, 
the family settling in Fairfield county in 
1812, and as they were in limited financial 
circumstances he was early forced to earn 
his own livelihood and jjegan learning the 
shoemaker's trade. Soon after attaining his 
majority he secured a small stock of men's 
heavy boots and with this started to the 
fields where a gang of workmen were eni- 
ployed ii-i constructiiig a canal. There his 



128 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



snxall stock was quickly suld and with the 
nionev thus obtained he purchased more 
leatlier and l>egan making a new sui>ply of 
lxx>ts, so tluit lie deserves to be known as a 
pioneer Ixxvt and shoe manufacturer of this 
c<nmtv. I'his was the foundation of lliis 
successful career. As he had a ready sale 
for these products of his labor he soon se- 
cured a surplus and this money he invested 
in one hundred and sixty acres of land, 
covered with a dense grove of timber. He 
then hiretl some men to clear the ground 
and prq>are it for the plow. .\m(ong the 
stumps he planted apple, ]>eacb, pear and 
cherry trees and in a few years his place 
was known as the Fmit Ridge fami. He 
had one of the finest orchards of this part of 
the state and it yielded abundantly. 

In I Sod there had come to Lancaster a 
family whose religious \ie\\-s h.-ul led them 
to li'bei"ate their slaves and for this they 
were ostracized by their neiglilx)rs in \'ir- 
ginia. On this account they decided to 
seek a home in the free west and thus the 
Cooper family was established in Lancas- 
ter. The father was a saddler by trade and 
lish a harness business in Fairfield county. 
it is claimed he was the first man to estab- 
Alxnit i8i(j his daughter, Rebecca Cooper. 
became the wife of Adam Brandt and unto 
them, as the years passed, were Ixjrn sev- 
enteen children, nine sons and eight daugh- 
ters, of whom fom-teen reached years of 
maturity, while nine are still living. The 
hereditary strain in the faniil}- was nwuii- 
fested in tlie grandsons, for si.\ ot them 
were em'oUetl among the soldiers of the 
Union army fighting for the supi>ression of 
slaverv, whicli the grandfather had op- 



l)osed so many years l>efore. The sons of 
Adam who wore the blue were Henry C, 
who died in February, 1895; J'>iiatli:iii C. 
wlio is still living at the age of seventy-four 
years; Isaac, who resi<les in California, 
aged sevent\-one: Oliver B., of this sketch ; 
William J. : and Wesley L., who resides in 
Mitchellviile. Iowa, aged sixty years. Three 
of the daughters also niarried soldiers of 
tlie Ci\'il war, namely: Catherine, horn in 
1820. married Samuel Radabaugh and re- 
sides in Minnesota; Elizabeth, born m 
1S27. married Samuel Apt and resides in 
Kansas: and Rebecca, born in 1835. m^''- 
ried S. S. Wicst and resides in BaltinK)re, 
Ohio. Thus this family was represented by 
nine loyal men who. fought for the starry 
banner and the cause it represented. Ot 
these William J. Brandt died in the service 
I'ebruary 13, 1862, aged twenty-one: Jack- 
son H., another son, died Xovem'ljer 23. 
1867. The other daughters were as fol- 
l(nvs : Martha, born September 10. 183.^, 
is now the wido-w of Jacob Weaver and is a 
resident of Oklahoma Ten^itory : Harriet, 
born Decemlier 25, 1836, is the wife of X. 
S. Bbright, of Carroll, Ohio; Mary M.. 
born December 8. 1839, is the widow of 
Joseph Morlc\-. and a resident of Kansas: 
and Emaliza, lx>rn Decemlier 31, 184(1, 
died in 1878. Certainly Adam Brandt had 
cause to lie jjroud of his posterity. In his 
farming operations he prospered, '["he I'ruit 
Uidge farm, which he developed in the 
midst of the wilderness, Iwcame one of the 
most fiourishing fruit fanns in all this sec- 
tion of the country ajid its owner was hon- 
ored and respected for his many good tpial- 
ities. lie li\cd to ;i ripe old age, l>eing se\- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



129 



eiit\'-fi>ur vears \\ihen killed June 24. 1874. 
iiy falling- from a tree. Airs. Brandt died 
April 18. J 870, at the age of si.xtx-eight 
3'ears. 

Captain Oliver B. Brandt, whose name 
introduces this record, tvorked upon the 
lionie farm and under his father's direction 
until twenty-one years of age and wlhen 
j\bnvham Lincohi issued his first call for 
seventy-five thousand nien to serve for 
three months, thinking that the war would 
lie over at that time, Oliver Brandt was 
among the first to be enrolled among the 
members o^^ Ci>m|>any A, Se\-enteentli Ohiii 
Infantry. On tlie expiration of term of en- 
listnient, the regiment was reorganized and 
he became a member oi Company F, wiitb. 
which he served for three years. From time 
to time he was promoted through the vari- 
ous ranks until in recognition of his loyrd 
patriotism and mihtar\- skill, he was com- 
missioned captain. Fie participated in six- 
teen pitched battles and twelve skirmishes, 
and se\en Ijullets pierced his clothing, 
while liis sword was shot in twc at the 
hilt in the liattlc of Chickamauga. On the 
second day of the engagement, while he 
was in ci-mmand (jf the colnr company, 'o 
shell burst in their madst. killing and 
wiiiunding nmny of his conirades. ilie en- 
emy taking achantage nf tlie ha\i>c and 
confusion again charged in the columu be- 
fore they could rally, ca)jturing Captain 
Brandt and many of his men. .\s a pris- 
ivncr nf war he was sent to Libb\- ])rison 
and later to Macon, Gerin'gia. He was one 
r,f the Union soldiers to be sent to Charles- 
ton. South Carolina, the Confederates 
thinking if they ]jlaced many Union pris- 



oners in that city that the Union forces 
woiuld not attempt its destruction and 
would cease shelling the town for fear of 
killing their own unfortunate comlrades. 
thus placing them under the fire of their 
own guns. It was fortunate that Captain 
Brandt had a strong constitution to with- 
stand all the hardships and horrors of pris- 
on life. He managed, howe\er, to keep in 
good health and was never on the sick list 
or had the aid of a i>h3-sician or surgeon 
from the time he responded to Presitlcnt 
Lincoln's call until receiving his honorable 
discharge in July, 1865. His is certainly a 
creditable military record o.f which he has 
e\-ery reason to be prond. He was always 
fonnd at his post of dutv, which was often 
in the thickest of the fight, and he never hes- 
itated or wa\-ered in obeying a command 
and by his own bravery he inspired many of 
his company to like deeds of b'ra\-ery and 
heroism. 

Not long after his return home in 
-March. 1866, Captain Brandt was united in 
marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hohnes. a 
daughter of George W. Holmes, a farmer 
of Greenfield township. Six children ha\e 
been born of this marriage, three sons and 
three daughters, namely: Nancy O.. born 
in 1866, is now the wife of McClellan Mar- 
tens, a hardware dealer of Lancaster; Ida 
K., bom in 18(18, resides at home; James 
M., born in 1870. married Dessa Lamlj, a 
daughter of Hon. George Lamb, and re- 
sides in Fostoria, Ohio, where he is engaged 
in the agricultural implement business; 
Lulu, born in 187.'. is with her ])arcnts: 
Harry H., born in 1874, is engaged in 
teaching sc1kx>1 ; and George \V., born in 



I30 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1877, assists his father in the manageinent 
of the home farm. Captain Brandt has re- 
sided uixm this place since iiis miarriage and 
his home is made pleasant thrnngh the tal- 
ent of his daughters, who have inherited 
their internal grandfather's musical abil- 
ity and love of flowers. The Brandt family 
is one that is highly esteemed in Fairfield 
county, and to his duties of citizenship the 
Captain is as true and loyal to-day as when 
he followed the starry banner of the nation 
through the soiUh. In ])olitics he is a 



strong Rqniblican: for thirty years has Ijeeu 
an active wiorker for his party's interests; 
was chairman of the Republican comity 
committee in 1890-2; and is now a member 
of the Republican central committee. He 
ser\ed as school director twenty-one years 
and in 1898 was in Columibus as a comlmit- 
tee to look after the interests of the Carroll 
schools. Fraternally he is a pn^minent 
memiber of Ezra B. Ricketts Post. Xo. 246, 
G. A. R., of Carroll, of whidi he is jxist 
commander and is now adjutant. 



RICHARD EVANS. 



Richard Evans, now deceased, com- 
manded the respect and confidence of his 
fellow men to an tmusual degree, and when 
called to his final rest his death was widely 
and deeply mourned. He was a native of 
England and a son of Da\'id Evans, whose 
birth also occurred in the country in which 
he spent his entire life. He was a fanner 
by occupation antl always carried on that 
pursuit in order to provide for his family. 
His wife died but a short time prior to the 
emigratiim cf her Sdu Richard to the new 
world. He had attended the public schools 
of his native country and when fifteen years 
of age he determined to make his home in 
the new world, having heard favorable re- 
ports of its npf)(>rtunities and jirivileges. 
Accordingly he perfected his arrangements 
to sail for the United States and at length 



landed at New York cit\ , whence he made 
his way across the country to Ohio, set- 
tling first in ColumbiLs. There he learned 
the painter's trade, which he followed for a 
number of years. He worked for the Hock- 
ing Valley Railroad Company im the ca- 
pacity of painter for a long period. About 
1889 he came to Fairfield county, settling in 
Hock-ing township, and with the capital he 
had acquired through his own energy and 
(hligence he purchased eighty acres of land, 
on which he erected a large and substantial 
residence, thus making a home for himself 
and family. Throughout his remaining 
days he devoted his energies to agricultural 
inirsuits and placed his land under a high 
state of cultivation, making it a rich and 
arable tract. A\1ien he arrived in Columbus 
he was but a youth and had only a capital 




RICHARD EVANS 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



"33 



of one dollar. He feared not the laborious 
devotion to work which is the foundation of 
all prosperity, and as the years passed he 
won success and provided most comfortably 
for his family. 

On the 1 6th of November, 1882, Mr. 
Evans was united in marriage to O'rpha 
Spangler, who was born in Pickaway coun- 
ty, Ohio, a daughter O'f Charles and Betsey 
(Wolfard) Spangler. Her father was also 
a native of Pickaway county and resided 
there continuously until about fifteen years 
ago, when he came to Fairfield county, tak- 
ing up his abode in Hocking township, 
where he still carries on agricultural pur- 
suits. His wife has now passed away. The 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Evans has been 
blessed with four children, and the family- 
circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of 
death. Walter, the eldest, was bom in Co- 
lumbus, Franklin county, March 24, 1884, 
and now conducts the home farm, mani- 



festing excellent business ability in his wi jrk. 
Clarence, l>orn March i, 1886, is emplnyed 
in a shoe factory at Lancaster ; and ^Myrtle, 
born September 22, 1889, and Nellie, Sep- 
tember 2^, 1892, are attending the public 
schools. 

Mr. Evans was a man of strong do- 
mestic tastes, a devoted husband, a kind and 
loving father and he found his greatest hap- 
piness at his own fireside. In all his busi- 
ness relations he was upright and honorable 
and his methods would bear the closest in- 
spection. He passed away April 23, 1900, 
and was laid to rest in Forest Rose cemetery 
in Lancaster, but he left to his family the 
priceless heritage of an untarnished name. 
His history proves conclusively that success 
is not a matter of genius, but is the legiti- 
mate outcome of persevering effort. His 
example is well worthy of emulation, for in 
all life's relations he shaped his course by 
honorable and moral principles. 



WILLIAM W. WALKER. 



The opportunities of business life are tain William W. Walker his present posi- 

limitless in this free land where laibor is not tion as foreman oif the carpenter depart- 

hamp'ered by caste or class. Advancement mait and as wreck master for the Cincin- 

dqjends u]3<)n a nian's promotion, coming nati & Muskingum Vallev Railruad Coni- 

m recognition nf skill and ribilitv' along a jiany. 

chosen line nf endeavc.ir. When one h;is The Captain was born upnn ;i farm in 

attained to a iK>sitinn of resixinsibilit}-, it is Wayne coumty. New York. l*'cl)ruar\- 2.?, 

an indication of his diligence and ca]>ability 1837. His father, George II. Walker, was 

and it is sucli f|ualities that ha\c won Cap- a native of England and w lien in his eio-Jn- 



•34 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



centh year came to the United States, set- 
tling in Wayne county. New York. He, 
was a carpenter h\ trade and followed that 
purstiit to a greater or less extent through- 
out his business career, Ixvt also extended 
his efforts to other lines of industrial ac- 
tivity. He engaged in the manufacture of 
native luml:>er, oi>elrating a smiall sawnnill 
in W'avne county. Xew 'S'ork. for a num- 
ber of vears. At length he determined to 
seek a honie farther west, lielieving that he 
might have l)etter ijusiness op])ortunities in 
a less thickly settled region where comipe- 
tition was not so great. .Accordingly in 
October, 1841, he removed his family to 
J'ike count\-. Ohio, where he remained for 
two years and then came to Fairfield coun- 
ty. Me took up his abode in Berne town- 
ship in the vicinity of Sugar (irove. where 
he engaged in caqyentering and at the same 
time operated a sawmill <in the \\;iters ot 
the 1 locking river. A fragmient of the old 
mdl is still standing there, a landmark A 
the early days. .Mr. Walker was a ]nililio- 
spirited man, acti\e in the support of all 
that he helie\ed woulii ])ro\f of general 
good. lie was very generous and liberal 
and was nnich respected throughout the 
cfjmnnmitv in which he made his home. 
A\Miile li\ing in Wayne county. Xew \'ork. 
]\Ir. Walker was united in marriage to 
Charlotte W. J.aw.sou. a native of thai 
county and a daughter of John Lawson. 
Botl) Mr. ;ind Mrs. \\'alkcr held member 
ship in the ( icrm;in Kefornved church and 
their lives were in consistent harmony with 
its teachings and jirinciplcs. ibey became 
the i)arciits of liftcen children, eight son.- 
and se\en dauybters. 'lAvo of the num- 



ber died in infancy, but thirteen reached 
years of maturity. They were: William 
H. : I'rederick Ci. : Elizabeth, the decease<I 
wife of Thomas Mock; Cieorge H., who re- 
sides in Clarksviile; Mary J., who has 
])assed away ; Rose Ann : 1^'lorence : Benja- 
min and Edward L., twins, the latter now 
deceased: (jeorge W. and Benjamin P., 
who were al.so twins and have passed away: 
Adelaide, deceased ; <'',nd -Martha, the wife 
of William Ilmnmil. if biurlield county. 
The father of this famil\- [lassed away in 
i<S8j, and his wife, surviving him for a 
nunvber f>f years, was callc-d to her final 
home in 1891. 

Captain William II. Walker, whose 
name introduces this recoi-d. spent his bivy- 
|-,oo(l days in the usual manner of fanner 
lads. The sun shone down uix.n n^any a 
field which he plowed ruid he c^intinued his 
wurk in the lields until aftercrops were har- 
vested in the ;uUumn. when he would enter 
the district scIkkiIs in the neighboihc h1 and 
there imrsue his studies until returning 
spring again called him to the work of tbi; 
fields. .\s soon as he was old enough !•> 
assist his father in the mill he also gave a 
jiart of his attention to its operation and 
under his father's direction he learned the 
carpenter's trade. Together they worked 
until the Cajitiiin was twenty-one vears of 
age. 

lie became deeply interested in the trou- 
bles which eventually in\-olved the coimtry 
in (ivil war. In iSqfi he went to the ter- 
litc.ry of K;insas. residing there a ])art if 
the time during the famous Kansas and 
Nebraska troubles. The inisettled state of 
business and i)olilics there causeil him to 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 135 

return ti > Fairfield count}-, wiiere he con- returned to- Lancaster and resumed car- 
tinned bu^iness with his father mitil after penter work. Soon after he entered the 
the inaui^uration of the Civil war. Hardly employ of the 'Cmcinnati & Musking^ini 
had the .smoke from Fort Sun^ter's ginis Raiload in the wood department of their 
cleared away when he offered his services various shops, and his diligence and capa- 
to the g-ovenmient. enlisting on the 19th of bility won him promlotion stq> 1j\- step until 
April, 1861, as a member of Company A, he was made foreman of the wood depart- 
Seventeenth Ohio \'o'lunteer Infantry, at the ment and master of wreckage, having coii- 
tirst call of Presitient Lincoln for seventy- trol of hundreds of miles and employing a 
five thousand men. John i\L Coiinell, of number of gangs of men. who' are employed 
Lancaster, was in comimand of the regi- in various ways. 

mient, which was ordered to Virginia and Li 1861 Captain Walker was united in 

participated in the 'battle of Laurel Hill. On marriage to Miss Caroline Alock, a daugh- 

the expiration of the three months' term> of ter of David and Leah ( LeMott) Mock, 
service. September 30. i86r, Mr. Walker She was born and reared in Fairfield coun- 

re-enlisted f(jr three years, bcoining a mem- ty and died in 1876, leaving three children: 

bei of Comi]>any 1 of the samie regiment l^urben W., who' is employed in the rail- 

wilh \vhicli he first went to the front. This road shops; Mina L., the w"ife of Michael 

command was ordered to Kentucky and its Hankson ; and Katie, who died at the age 

lirst engagement was at Wild Cat Motin- of ele\-en vears. 

tarn. Cajitain Walker participated in thir- For his second wife Captain Walker 

ty-si.\ regular engagements, including the married Jane Hamiltom, of Amanda, this) 

battles of .Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, county, the wedding being celebrated in 

j'ittslnirg Landing, Corinth, the siege and 187Q. She is a native of this county and 

fall of Atlanta. an<I the celebrated miarcn of a daughter of Jacobs and Maria Hamilton. 

Shtnnan to the sea. He was in many en- 'ilie children born of the second marriage 

gagements and often in the thickest O'f the are William Floyd, who is employed in the 

fight, and at Ihe tettle of Missionary Ridge railroad .shops: and ALiria E., at home, 
received a gunshot wound in the right leg: The Captain gives his political support 

and again in front of Atlanta he was sin, I to the Republican party and is a firm en- 

in bodi legs, which injury laid him u]r three dorser of its jirinciijles. He cast his first 

months. During the battle of Kenesaw presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and 

!\Iounta.in lie was staibbed in the liack of the the last up to this time for William Mc- 

iiead liy a liayonet. In 1863 he was com- Kinley. His fellow townsmen, recognizing 

missioned second lieutenant and in 18O4 be his worth and abilitv. have called him to 

was ])romoted to the rank of first lietitenant, public office and for thirteen vears he was 

while in 1865 he was promoted to captain a member of the citv council, representing 

and when mtistered out was Iireveted major. il,f fifth ward, b'raternallv he is connected 

When the war was over Captain Walker with Ali>ine Lodge, Xo. z,()<a, I. (). O. !•"., and 



136 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Hbck H(X-king Encampment, No. 28. He is 
also a mieniil)er of the Kniglits of Honor; 
Beiijaniin Butterfield I'ost, Xo. yj, G. A. 
R. ; Union Veteran Legion: and is chair- 
man of the 'board of trustees in the Odd Fel- 
lows kxlge. As has Ijeen truly remarked 
after all that may \yt done for a man in the 
way of gixing him early opjxtrtunities for 
obtaining the requirements which are 



sought in the public schools and books, lie 
must essentially formulate, detemiine and 
give shajje to his own character and this 
is what Mr. Walker has done. He has per- 
severed in the pursuit of a persistent pur- 
pose and has gained the most satisfactor}' 
reward. His life is exemplary in all re- 
si)ect and he well deser\es representation in; 
this volume. 



JESSE ALLEN. 



Jesse .\llen is a prosj^erous farmer <if 
Fairfield ct>unty, having more than three 
hundred acres of land in Amanda township. 
His is a viduable farm, attractive and pleas- 
ant in apperance, owing to the well kept 
condition <>f buildings and fields. He was 
born March 14, 1839, near Koyalton, Ohio, 
and comes of an old New England family. 
The following we copy from "Pioneer Pe- 
riod and Pioneer People" of Eairheld coun- 
ty, published by C. M. S. Wiseman: "'riie 
Alien family has been prominent in Fair- 
field county for one hundred years, 'riie 
pioneer, Dr. Silas Allen, was a man of ed- 
ucation and character, and his descendants 
were numerous, and lhrouglii>ut their long 
career have maintained the reputaticm of 
their distinguished ancestors. Samuel .\I- 
len (the first) cajiie to .\merica from 
Hridgewater. Somerset county. I'.ngland. in 
1620. and settled in I'raintrce. Massaclm- 
SClts. Ili> wifcs name was Ann. hut we 



can not gi\e the surname. Their son, Sam- 
uel (the second) was lx)rn in 1632. .V 
daughter, Sarah, was lx>rn in 1639 and mar- 
ried Josepii Standish, a son of Miles Stand- 
ish, of the Mayflower. This Samuel (the 
second) married Sarah Partridge. Their 
son, Samuel (the third) was born in \6(\o. 
He married Reliecca Carey in 1685. Their 
son, Samuel (the fourth), was born in i68C\. 
Thier son. Timothy, was lx>rn in 1691 and 
was tlie grandfather of General Ethan .Al- 
len, of Revolutionary fame. Rel>ecca died 
in 1697 and Samiuel (the third) married 
Mary Aldcn, a daughter of Joseph, a son 
of Captain John Alden, made famous by 
Longfellow in Miles Standish. and tiic first 
man to land on Plymouth Rock. Ti) this 
union were born children, namely: Joseph, 
in 1701 : Benjamin, in 1702: .Mary, in 
1704: Rel)ecca. in 1706; Mathew, in 1708: 
and Seth, in 1710. This family alxnit the 
vear 1727 moved to Connecticut and sot- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



'3r 



tied at Xorwich. Later tliey nx>ved to Cen- 
terbui-y, Connecticut. At Norwich Joseph 
Allen married Rebecca Fuller, of Preston. 
Their son, Barnabus, was born February 
24, 1729, at Norwich. Barnabus married 
Elizaljeth Fuller, daughter oi" RaJidolph 
Fuller, in 1752. Their son, Silas, was torn 
in 17^4. He was educated and studied 
medicine. He married j\Iary Cleveland, 
daughter of Samuel Cleveland, May 16, 
1776. She was a fourth cousin of Moses 
Clevelajid, the fomider of the city of Cleve- 
land, Ohio. She was also related to Grover 
Cleveland's ancestors. Soon after their 
marriage, with others of their family, Di. 
Allen and wife moved to Middletown, Ver- 
miout. Their children were : Samuel, Ja- 
red, Rebecca, Anna, Elizalteth, Benjamin, 
Annie, Jedatliah, who was born in 1781 ; 
and \Miiting- in 1782. 

In the year 1800 Dr. Silas Allen with 
family and others, in all, forty, left Middle- 
town, Connecticut, for the west, intending 
to go as far west as the Mississii>pi river. 
Arriving at P'airheld county, they found 
the country on Toby creek inviting and they 
concluded to remain there and became per- 
manent settlers. In course of time Whit- 
ing and Benjamin Allen mioved with fami- 
lies to Delaware county, Ohio, where they 
were prosperous and representative. 

Whiting Allen married Mahitable 
Searle, one of a family of the forty emi- 
grants mentioned. A descendant of this 
Searle family married a daughter of George 
Ewing of Iowa City, Iowa, and resides 
there in charge of a newspaper. Amos S. 
'J'homas. of Lancaster, Ohio', is a great- 
grandson of \\'hiting Allen. }ilrs. Evira 



Meeker was a daughter of Lemuel Allen 
and died aged ninety-three. Dr. Silas Al- 
len lived a useful life in his new home, 
reared and established a family, and at the 
age of seventy-one years, September 7,. 
1825, died. His bod}- lies buried at Ro_\al- 
ton. 

Jedatliah Allen, the fo'urth son of Ur.. 
Silas and Mary (Cleveland) Allen, and the 
grandfather of our subject, was Ijom i:i 
Vennont, and at an early age came wit'i 
iiis parents to Ohio, locating upon a farm ia 
Amanda township, Fairfield county, that is- 
now occupied by our subject. Here he- 
lived and. died devoting his energies to ag'- 
ricultural pursuits, engaging in stock rais- 
ing on a very extensive scale. He was not 
only very successful but was also one of the 
most proniinent and influential men of the 
community. He died at Royalton nn the 
5th of September, 1856, many frieml's 
mourning his loss while the community 
chronicled the death of one of its leading- 
representatives. He married Sarah Bull 
about 1803 and the children born to them 
were: Rachel, born 1809: Howard. l)oni 
t8ii; and Lyman, born 181 3. Rachel Ije- 
came the wife of Thomas Re1>er and died 
near Upper Sandusky, Ohio. 

The parents O'f our subject were H<j\\ard 
and Sarah (Leist) Allen, the latter a 
daughter of John Leist. The former was 
i)orn in Amanda township, Fairfield cnun- 
ty, and throughout his life devoted his ener- 
gies to agricultural pursuits. lie died at 
the comparatively early age of thirt_\-eight 
years. He was quite prosperous and left 
his family in comfortable circumstances. 
He held miembership in the Methodist 



13S 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



church. His widow survixed him ft)r many 
years, passing away on the 25th of June, 
1S95. at tlie rii>e old age of eighty-eight 
years, eleven months and si.K days. She 
was the mother of seven children, of whom 
one died in infancy, while four are yet liv-. 
ing. 

lesse Alien was reared u\nm the old 
family homestead, his youth being passed in 
a manner similar to tiiat of most boys of the 
period. He vlitained his education in the 
comirion schools of the district. His fa- 
ther died when the son was only five years 
of age and Jesse Allen then assisted his 
mother in the work of the home farm until 
he had attiiinul his majority. He tlien 
started out upon an independent business 
career and was eniployed as a farm hand by 
tiie nijonth for two years. He afterward 
])urchased the farm of Tlmmas Reber, in 
Amanda tnwnslii]). consisting of one hun- 
dred and si.xty acres, for which he paid nine 
tlious.and five hundred dollars, and soon af- 
terward lie snld this property for thirteen 
thousand live iiundreil dollars. lie next 
]jurcliased liic property upon which he now 
lives, comprising- one hundred and eiglits- 
si.\ acres, the price being fifteen thousand 
<lolla's. He added to this until he now has 
over three hundred acres f>f land under a 
very high .state of cultivation. Many imi- 
provemeuts upon this farm are an iiidica- 
tior (if his enterprise, capable manage- 
ment and progressive spirit. His is indeed 
one III the nuidc! j. laces of the cinmtv and 
as the years |)ass it approaches more nearly 
to ])erfection. He also owns a nunil)er of 
village lot> in Knyalton. His time and at- 
tention ha\e alwavs been given to general 



farming and stock raising and his thor- 
ough understanding of the Inisiness, his 
adaptation of iirij]>roved methods to his 
work, and his unfaltering industry have 
brought to him very gratifying prosjierity. 

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Allen 
joined the army in 1864, as a member of 
Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-ninth 
Ohio \'olunteer Infantrv, for one hundred 
days' service, and was mustered <iut at 
Zanesville on the e.xpiration of his temi. In 
his |>olitical views he is a Republican and 
while firmly endorsing the principles of the 
])arty has never lieen an oftice seeker, al- 
though he has held a few minor positions. 
A i>rominent and consistent member of the 
Methodist church, for a number of vears he 
has been one of its trustees. 

Xo history of Mr. Allen could be com- 
]ilete without mentinu of his estimable wile. 
He was married on t!ie 30th of December. 
1869, to Elizabeth I'. Strayer, who was 
Ixjrn in Royaltoii. Ohio, a daughter of 
Abram and Ellen M. (Cross) Strayer. Her 
father was a native of I'ennsylvania and 
camie to Oiiio during the ])ioncer ep icli in 
its history, locating in Royaltou, where 
he established a mercantile store and car- 
ried om business along that line for nianv 
years. llis death occurred in Rdvalton 
Se)>teml>er 19, i8f)f). when he wa.s aged fif- 
ty-seven years, nine months and twenty-five 
days. His widow survived him for a long 
l>eri(Kl. ])assiiig away in 190J, at the very 
advanced age of eighty-eight vcars. In 
their family were eight children, four of 
wihom are yet living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
-Mien have been lx>rn but two children : 
\iola, born December 13. iS~i, in Roval- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



139 



tnn, is now the wife of Leroy G. Silbaugh. of our subject, was lioru in Koyalton. Au- 

'l'lie\- were married September 17, 1895, by gust 3, 1873, and now resides with liis par- 

tht Rev. S. D. Priest, ^fr. Silbaugh is an ents, carrying on the old home farm. He is 

altorney-at-law and the present mayor of justly recognized as one of the progress- 

the city of Lancaster. They have two sons, i\-e and enterprising young business men of 

Allen and John. Ralph Allen, the only son the county. 



WILLIAM L. BUCHANAN. 



\\'illiani L. Buchanan, of Baltimore, 
Ohio', was born in \\"alnut township,. Fair- 
field county, on the 3rd of July, 1850, and 
is a son of William and Catherine (Huff- 
man) Buchanan, the former a native of 
Lancaster, Penn'sylvania. while the latter 
was born near Baltimore, ]\Iaryland. The 
paternal grandfather and the great-grand- 
father both l3ore the name of William and 
the family is of Scotch-Irish descent. The 
father of our subject was a shoemaker by 
trade and followed that occupation in con- 
nection witli farming and the mannfacture 
O'f brick, and later engaged in the hotel 
business in Pleasantville, Ohio, in 1853 and 
(lied in 1854. An old brick church near 
the Indian fort, in Perry county, was built 
of brick which came from his kilns. He 
died when he was forty-four years of age, 
his wife living for some years after. In 
their family were eleven children, of whom 
three are yet living. Sarah became the wife 
of M. W. Mock, and both are now de- 
ceased. Catherine is the deceased wife of 



Thomas Irick. James K. was living in 
Texas at the time of the Civil war and when 
about fifteen years of age was drafted for 
service in the reliel army. He and two com- 
panions crossed the Ixu- in an old molasses 
Ijox and thus made their way to^ the north. 
James is now deceased. George W., who 
resides in Pleasantville, was for years en- 
gaged in the hotel business there, but is now 
retired. He ser\'ed in the Unicjn army as 
a member of the Eighty-eighth Ohiri In- 
fantry. Mary A. is the wife nd' L. L. Nor- 
ris and resides in Thurston, ^\'illiam L. 
is the next in the family. Darlington' is de- 
ceased and the youngest died in infancy. 
The mother of this family was an active 
member of the Methodist Protestant church. 
The father gave his political su|>i)ort to the 
Democracy and was at one time deputy 
sheriff of the county. He became a char- 
ter member of Pleasantville Lodge, Xo. 163, 
I. O. 0\ F., and passed all of its chairs. He 
was a self-made man and one who deserved 
great credit for what he accomplisheil. He 



440 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was not only industrious and energetic, but 
his business methods were also such as to 
commend him to his fellow men. 

William J.. Huchanan attended the pub- 
lic schools of Pleasantville. an<l at the age 
of fourteen Ijegan making his t>wn way in 
the world. When he was twenty years of 
.age he commenced conducting a hotel at 
Plesantville. 

As a companion and helpmate on life's 
journey Mr. Buchanan chose Miss Clara 
Lamb, the wedding being celebrated Sep- 
tember j6, 1872. The lady was a native 
of Walnut tinNUship and a daughter of 
Jacob and Anna Lamb. One child was born 
•of this marriage. Claude Lamb, who is now 
secretary for the Twin City Paper Com- 
pany, at Baltimore. He was born January 
14. 1874. On the 30th of October, of the 
same year, the wife and mother passed away 
ajid was laid to rest in the cemetery at 
Pleasantville. For his .second wife Mr. 
Buchanan cho.se Miss Clara Elnora Fink, 
a native of Pleasant townshi]> and a daugh- 
ter of William and Mary Fink, both of 
whom are now deceased. Her mother died 
when she was only three years of age. I'y 
that marriage there were three children : 
Anna May, now deceased, I'rank W., who 
is emi)loyed as a clerk in the Kirk House 
at Zanesville. and Thomas ^\■hitnev, de- 
•cea.sed. The mother of the.se children died 
May 3. 1889, anfl the father afteward mar- 
ried Cassie May Ketner. a native of Walnut 
township and a daughter of Benjamin and 
Elizabeth Ketner. both of whom are still 
living. This wedding was celebrated Oc- 



tober 19, 1890. and has been blessed with 
two children — Russell K. and Clara Ruth. 
On the 24th of March. 1894. Mr. 
Buchanan remo\ed to Baltimore, where he 
purchased a hotel and has since conducted 
business there, being the popular and genial 
host of the Baltimore House, which is re- 
ceiving a liljeral patronage and is a popular 
resort with the traveling public. In his po- 
litical views Mr. Buchanan is a Democrat. 
Socially he is quite prominent. He belongs 
to Fairfield Lodge, No. 163. L O. O. F., 
which he joined on the 5th of May. 1877, 
at Plea.santville. On the 28th of June. 1880, 
he became a meml^er of \\'alnut Valley En- 
campment, Xo. 218, and is now a past 
patriarch. He also belongs to Canton Ivan- 
hoe. Xo. 10. at Lancaster, and is quarter- 
master sergeant of the Fifth Regiment. He 
is a charter meniher of the Rebecca lodge 
known as Chico Lodge. Xo. 196. Of this 
his second wife was a charter meml>er and 
his present wife is also a member. Mr. 
Buchanan was a charter member and one 
who filed the application' for the establish- 
ment of White .\rrow Lodge. Knights of 
Pythias. Xo. 341, at Pleasantville. on the 
2 1 St of May. 1881). .-md for three years he 
has been its representative to the grand 
lodge. lie is also a charter member of 
BaltiuK re L(^)dge. Knights of Pythias, Xo. 
673, and for three years was its rei)resenta- 
tive to the grand lodge. He is likewise a 
charter member of Chickasaw Tribe, Xo. 
100, L O. K. .\I.. at Thurston, Ohio. He 
is a man who has gained a wide acquaint- 
ance throughout this county and possesses 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



141 



tlie qualities which render him a capable venience and 1>\' his genial, social manner 

and successful hotel man. He gives close he has gained a large circle of friends, not 

.and earnest attention to the needs of his only of this community, but amid the trav- 

guests, looks after their comfort and con- eling pubHc. 



JEROME D. HUMMELL. 



Jerome D. Hummell is a self-edu- 
-cated and self-made man, who has stead- 
ily progressed in life because of his 
strong character, his indomitable "will and 
his laudable ambition. He is now owner 
■of one of the best farms in Fairfield 
count}' and well does he merit his suc- 
cess. Mr. Hummell was born December 
3, 1S39, on the faniTi where he now resides 
and near the spot on which the house no'w 
stands. His paraits were John and Mary 
(Dove) Hummell and the family is of Ger- 
man hneage, the great-grandfather of ou'" 
subject ha\ing been lx)rn in Germany, 
whence he crossed the Atlantic to' the new 
world, taking U]5 his al)ode in Penns\']vaniii. 
where he probably spent his remlaining days. 
His son, Frederick Hummell, the grandfa-^ 
thcr of our subject, removed tO' Fairfield 
county after his son, John, had located here 
and took u\) his abode in Bloom township, 
where he carried on agricultural pursuits 
and spent the remainder of his life. In his 
family were ten children, of whom the fol- 
lowing are remembered: Hannah, Eliza- 
beth. Isaac, ]^a\i(l, John and Leah, the last 
named being the widow of Daniel Allspangh 
and a resid.ent of Bloom toAvnship. 



John Hummell, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Berks county, Pennsyl- 
vania, and in his youth lived in a wild dis- 
trict c.i the Keystone state. At one time 
he encountered a panther and on account of 
the unsettled condition of the locality he 
endtned many hardships and pri\ations. In 
the year 1827 he first came to Fairfield 
county, making the entire distance on fwjt. 
He did not make a permanent location 
Init in 1832 returned to this conntv. He 
was a carpenter Ijy occupation and at first 
took up his abode in Lithopolis, where he 
followed his trade. Later, however, lie 
turned his attention to farming and pur- 
chased land, upon which our subject now 
resides. This was in 1837. He paid eleven 
hundred dollars for the tract, securing the 
farm from the \Vidowi Rickits. He lx>r- 
rowed fifty dollars, which he adfled to the 
one hundred dollars he alread\- possessed, 
and thus was able to naake his first paxinent 
of one hundred antl fift_\- dollars. Suhse- 
cpiently he became an extensive land owner 
for as his financial resources increased he in- 
\ested in projierty until his possessions were 
\-ery valuable. .As a comjianion and help- 
mate for the jor.)-nc\' of life he chose Marv 



142 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Dove, a daugliter :)f Henry Dove, who 
came from Roclsiiigham county, X'irsjinin, 
in 1803, and entered land in Bloom, town- 
ship. The tract is still in ]x>ssession of rep- 
resentatives of the name. He lived to the 
advanced age of ninety-one years, three 
mionths and eight days, passing away in 
1S56. Mrs. Dove's daughter was Imrn in 
r>l(>oni township and was one of seven chil- 
dren: Peggy, who hecame Mrs. Orwig; 
Ruben; Jacob; Sallie; Elizabeth, who became 
the wife of Solomon Kistler and died in 
Kosciusko county. Indiana; Elijah. wIm 
owned the old iKHneslead, which f<]r nine- 
ty-nine years has lieen in the family and is 
now^ owiied by his son, Edward, wlio lives 
in Kansas; Mary, now ^Irs. Humjnell; and 
Mrs. Laney ^lontgomery. of Fraiiont, 
Sandusky county, Ohio. (Jf this family 
Mary Dove Hummell was born in 1815 and 
by her marriage became the mother of 
twelve children, ten of whom reached years 
of maturity, w hile eight are yet living. The 
record is as follows; H. 1., a skilled physi- 
cian, now practicing in Baltimore, Ohio; 
Sarah, the wife of XX'illiam Jacobs, who re- 
sides on the old homestead ; Martin Luther, 
of Shelby county, Illinois; Jerome D. ; Sa- 
luda, the deceased wife of Frederick 
Borchers ; IClizabeth, the deceased wife of 
Philem/on liarr; Margaret M. and \ancy, 
who live on the old homestead; and' Mary 
and Solomon, who died in infancy. The fa- 
ther of this family was a man of strict in- 
tegrity and sterling worth. He was a good 
mechanic and ])f<ssessed many sterling qual- 
ities. He o^jened the first mine in Summiiit 
llill. i'cnnsylvania, and helped to run the 
lirst car and hi)- the lirst T track, being an 



cmi)loye of Stephen Girard. for whom he 
v\as also engaged in building boats. His 
first trip to Bl(x>m township was made on 
foot and the second time he came by stage, 
but while enroute had to assist in getting 
the stage out of the mud. As the years 
passed, however, he prospered and a com- 
fort.'sble competence rewarded liis labors. He 
(lied December 17, 1870, at the age of si.\ty- 
five years and his wife passed away August 
14, 1899, at the age of eighty-four years. 
She possessed a most remarkable men»r)' 
and was otten called ujxmi to settle disputes 
in the neighborlKxnl concerning lines, sur- 
\eys, etc. 

Jerome ILunrmell, whose name intro- 
duces this review, was reared uixni the ola 
h(jme tarni and ac(|uired his education un- 
der considerable difficulty. He first at- 
tended the commxm schools and afterward 
the Pleasant Township Seminary, which he 
entered in Alugust. i860, sjiending three 
months there. He afterward lJecaIn^e a stu- 
dent in the Union schools of Baltimore, 
Ohio. Having no money he had to make 
his owii way but his strong determination 
and laudable ambition enabled him eventu- 
ally to secure a gixxl education. He after- 
ward engaged in teaching school at "Bun- 
ker Hill." in Liberty township, and for sev- 
enteen years continued to follow that jiro- 
fession with excellent success through the 
winter months and in the meantime accumu- 
lated alxnit four thousand dollars. The only 
money which he received from his fatiier to 
assist hinr in securing his own education 
was eleven dollars and fifty ceiU,>. When 
ihirtv-eight years of age he had two hun- 
dred dollars and a horse and bugg). At that 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I4S 



time he began saving his money and to-day 
lie is tiie owner of a x-ery \-alual)le prop- 
erty of three hundred acres, comprising' some 
of the best land in Bloom township. In 
fact, the farm is hardly equaled in P'airfiehi 
count\'. In addition to farming he has car- 
rieci on ojierations in the grain trade, being 
the first man to ship a car load of gM-ain 
down the valle\. In 1862 he Ijecame a rep- 
resentative of mercantile interests in Bal- 
timore, as a partner of his brother, H. I. 
Hummell, under the firm name (►f J. 1). 
Hummeli & Brother. This connection w'as 
maintained for one year when our subject 
sold his interest toi Edwin Ellis. In all his 
business undertakings he has manifested 
keen discrimination, enteii>rise and un- 
- flagging perse\erance and these qualities 
have been important elemlents in winning 
liinv success. 

Mr. Hummell was married July 4, iSy-'^, 
to Miss Rosa A. Bo^lnds, a daughter of 
David and Sarah ( Millhouse) BcRmds. 
They have one child, Edmund Ray, wiho 
graduatedi from the law dqwrtment of the 
Ohio University in June, 1902, and expects 
soon tO' enter Vale college. In jxilitics Mr. 
Hummell has always supported the Demo- 



cratic party. He has been calle<l upi m tn fi!i 
a numher of local offices. He has ser\-ed 
as a mem'Uer of the board of education; 
has filled man}- positions of trust: and 
several times has been called upon to ad- 
minister estates. In the fall of 1899 he 
was appointed by (jovernor Bushnell as a 
delegate from the Twelfth District of Ohii> 
as a representatixe to the Farmers' Na- 
tional Congress, which was heldi in Boston 
in October. 1899. Through bis jjersonal 
work the route of the electric road fronii 
Columbus tO' Lancaster was changed for 
two miles to take in the town of Carrol!. 
But: for his hard' and persistent efforts the 
i<iad would have passed one-half mile west 
O'f the tQiwn limits. Both be and liis wife 
are devoted and faithful memibers of the 
Clreenfield Presbyterian church in which he- 
has served as trustee and is now leachng 
elder. Few men liax-e manifested a, deeper 
or mloire helpful interest in the |niblic welfare 
than has Mr. Humnieli. With keen fore- 
sight he has seen the possibilities of the 
ccxuntry and has done his best to improve 
these. As a citizen be is boith public spirit- 
ed and progressive and all who knew him 
entertain for hin-i the highest regard. 



CHARLES ROBERT SHERMAN. 

The name of Charles Robert Sherman vv-ion distinction as a most eminent men-iiber 

figures conspicuously in the early history of of the early Ohio bar. I lis was a strong 

Fairfield county and also in the history of and upright manhoo<l ; the sterling (|ualities 

tire state. He, of whom we write, was of his nature were inherited by his two sons, 

prominent in civil and military circles and John and William Sherman, whose names 



144 



THE BIOGRAPHICA!. RECORD. 



adorn the pages of American liistory; tlie 
one attainin.a: to tlie iiighest eminence as a 
statesman, the other winning mihtar\- dis- 
linction. 

Charles Robert Slierman was horn in 
Xorwalk. Connecticut, on tlie 17th of Sep- 
tem)l>er, 1788. He was the eldest son of 
Judge Taylor Sherman and Elizaljeth Stod- 
dard. Ta\lor Sherman, son of Judge Dan- 
iel Siiemian. was bom in 1758 and was mar- 
ried in 1787 to Elizabeth SttKldard. Tliey 
moved to Xorwalk, Connecticut, where he 
spent his life, dying- May 15. 1S13. Eliza- 
beth Stoddard was born at Woodbury, 
Connecticut. June 17, 1767. .\fter the death 
of her husljand she came to Ohio with her 
children, living first with Charles R. Sher- 
man in Lancaster. Here her first daughter, 
Elizabeth, married the future Judge Parker, 
who studied law with Charles R. Shermian, 
and she went with then^ to live in Mansfield. 
Ohio. She was a granddaughter of Rev. 
Anthony Stoddard of Connecticut. She 
died in Mansfield, Ohio, .\ugust i, 1848. 
Charles R. Sherman received a giHxl educa- 
tion, studied law and was admitted to the 
bar in 1810. May 8, 1810, he was niarrie<l 
to Mary Hoyt, of Norwalk, Connecticut, 
a playmate from childhood, .^he was the 
daughter of Isaac Hoyt, a prominait citi- 
zen of Xorwalk, a man in comfortaible cir- 
cumstances. She was educated at the 
Poughkeepsie, Xew York. Female Sem- 
inary. 

In 1810. some months after he was mar- 
ried, he came to Ohio to look up a kxration. 
He visited Lancaster and decided to make 
his home there, and in December of that 
year or in the winter of iSi 1 he returned tn 



Connecticut, where he remained until the 
summer (^f 1811. when he, in company with 
his wife and young child, Charles 'J'. Sher- 
man, returned to Lancaster. The trip was 
nuade (;n horseback, and the babe was carried 
the entire distance resting on a pillow. The 
trip showed the pluck and spirit of this Xew 
England coujile. Charles R. Sherman ini- 
n^ediately became one of the leading sjwrits 
of his new home, and we find him within 
one year ilie major of the First Regiment 
of Ohio ^lilitia. He was the brilliant young 
orator who addressed the militia, called to- 
g'ether by the go\ernor for the jjurjiose of 
(fbtairiing \-olunteers for the war against 
(jreat Britain. This event l(K)k place A]>ril 
iT), 181J. His speech was reported by San- 
derson's lndei>endent Press and may be 
found in John Sherman's .Autobiog-raphy. 
The result of this meeting was the raising 
of a company by (ieorge Sanderson, which 
was soon to be surrendered by (jeneral Hull 
at Detroit. 

Xovcmber 9. 1813, he was appointed by 
President Madison, collector of internal 
revenue tor the Third J3istrict of Ohio, 
which ])osition he held for manv ve;irs. In 
Jul}-. 1S17. without previous notice, the 
go\ crunicnt refused to take any money from 
collectors. e.\cq)t i)ai>cr i>f the Bank of the 
Cnited States. This order found large 
sums in the hands of his <leputies in currenc^■ 
that soon became worthless. To adil to thi.-» 
c.'d;unit\-, some of his dqnitics failed, ami 
failure on his i)arl could not be a\-erted. 
Sherm:ni went down, and his bondsmen. 
Judge San-iuel Carpenter and Judge Daniel 
\'an .Metre, went with him. It is well known 
that Mr. Shermrm siihsciiuentlv made tr'«<l 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



145 



their losses and sc|uare(l his acc< units with 
the gi :\-ernnient. In 1823 he was elected 
one uf the judges of the supreme court of 
Oiiin hiy the legislature. His associates 
were Judges Pease, Hitchcock and Burnett, 
men of great ability and wide experience. 
It is sufhcient e\-idence o'f his aliilit}' as a 
lawyer to know that the Ohio legislature 
tlujught him worthy tO' be the associate of 
such eminent jurists. He died at Lebanon, 
Ohio, June 24, 1829, in his forty-first year, 
m the )3rime of life and in the midst of use- 
fulness. It is safe to say that at the time 
of his death he was the ablest lawyer and 
most [xjpular citizen of Lancaster, second 
to ni> mjan. 

The first case of Charles R. Sherman as 
attorney at the Lancaster bar, that is re- 
corded, is Fanny Mills against Jacoib Boos, 
the overseer of the poor, for the restoration 
of her child Peggy, who had been taken 
from her (jn the plea that she coukl not sui)- 
port her. She was an unmarried woman, 
the child a mulatto. The petitio-n in this 
case is dated Decemiber 18, 1810. At the 
January- term, 1812, he was prosecuting at- 
torney. But his name is not again men- 
tioned in that connection and the presump- 
tion is that R. F. Slaughter was sick or 
ab.Ncnt and that he performed the duty of 
prosecutor that term by directiim of the 
court. 

Jutlge Sherman is described as a gentle, 
genial nran with a brilliant mind and sound 
judgment, and both as judge and man of 
stainless integrity. He had the esteem and 
confidence of his associates upon the bench, 
and made friends in every court room and 
was the idol of the yoa,ing lawyers of Ohio. 



For many years he was a \ery prominent 
and enthusiastic member of the Masonic 
fraternity and master of' the lodge in Lan- 
caster. Judge Shermian was a hospitable 
man and his home was the center of a re- 
fined society. He entertained' many dis- 
tinguished guests. Governor De Witt Clin- 
ton and the Duke of Sa.xe W'eimer were en- 
tertained by him in the year 1825. 

He was a trustee of the Ohio University 
at .Aithens, and a memiber of the comrnjittee 
that examined Thonxas Ewing in grammar, 
rhetoric, languages, geography, natural and 
moral philosophy, logic, astronomy and 
mathematics. The committee expressed 
much gratification at his proficiency, and 
Ma_\- 3. 1815, recomlmended him; for the de- 
gree of Bachelor of Arts and Sciences. The 
death of Judge Sherman left his widow with 
the care and) training of eleven children, 
none of whom had reached their majority 
and with limited means for their support. 
The friends of Judge Sherman came to her 
relief and assisted in caring for the children. 
In the year 1844 she removed to Mansfield, 
Ohioi,, where John Shen'man and the two 
)-'Oiungest daughters made up the famil_\'. 
The young people soon married, but she con- 
tinued to keep house up tot the tinie of her 
deathi. September zt^. 1852. Her remains 
were brought tO' Lancaster and interred l)e- 
side those of her husband in Elmwood Cem- 
etery. The histor}- of the eleven orphan 
children of Judge Sherman is a very re- 
markaWe one. The daughters were all hap- 
]iily married to men who attained prom- 
inence in the ctunmunities in wdiich they 
li\e. The sons were all sticcessful men in 
business or in professions. 



14C> 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Elizabetli married William J. Fveese : 
Amelia. Rolwrt McComl). of Mansfield: 
Julia, jdlin (i. W'illock. of Lancaster: Susan. 
Thomas W. Bartley. of Mansfield, wiio be- 
came jji jvernor of Ohio and judge of tiie 
sui)renie court: anil Farrie married C. \\ . 
Moulton. of Cincinnati. There are those 
still living in I^incaster who witnessed the 
sornw and distress oi the mother and her 



small children on that awful day when the 
news came that Judge Sherman was dying 
in a distant town, but kind friends and 
time, with its healing power, sixithed their 
sorrows and dried their tears. The ginid 
n*>ther lived to see her children well estab- 
lished in the \\x>rld and her two favorite 
boys just entering upon careers a-s wonderful 
and as honorable as anv of the caiturv. 



GEORGE S. COURTRIGHT. 



George S. Courtright has devoted his 
life to labors wiierein wealth and influence 
availeth little or naught, the measure of 
success deperaling upon mentality, the abil- 
ity — both natural and acquired — and the 
l)R>ad culture of the individual i>oS'Sessing 
all the requisite qualities of an al)le physi- 
cian. Dr. Courtright has advanced to a 
ix>sitit)n prominent in the medical fraternity 
of Ohio, and is now successfully practicing 
in Lithoix>lis. The Doctor was born April 
27. 1840. in Pickaway county, Ohio, a son 
of Jesse D. and Sally (Stout) Courtright, 
the former a native of Fairfield county. 
Ohio, and the latter of Pemisylvania. He 
was educated in the conimoin schools and in 
South Salem Academy, Ross county, Ohio, 
and after ctmipleting his literary course 
took up the study of metlicine, intending to 
make its practice his life work. He pursued 
his studies in Cincinnati and was graduated 
in tlie Medical College of Ohio in 1862. 



For some years thereafter he was a well 
known educator in the liiK of his profes- 
sion. He was resident surgeon of St. John's 
Hospital in 1861, and of the Cincinnati 
Hospital in 1862, continuing in that ca- 
pacity until lie went into the army in the 
montii of November, 1862. entering the 
service as contract surgeon, remaining in 
that capacity until August. 1863. At that 
time he l)ecame assistant sujrgeon of the 
United States Volunteers, apix>inted 1 y 
I 'resident Lincoln. He was sent to l>uni- 
side's army in the Department of the Ohio 
and in 0:tol)er he received orders from the 
war dei>artment to report to Santa Fe. .\cw 
Me.xico. to the general tlien commanding 
that division. He made a trip fronr 
Kansas City to F'ort Leavenworth and 
thence by stage, a distance of one thou- 
sand miles, to Santa Fe. The tr(H)ps in that 
locality captured nine thousand Indians and 
held California ami Utah. He was aji- 





t/)/nulM9d^, 




THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 149 

]X)inte(l niajii!" In l)re\et fur gallant and a gifted teacher. Genial in disposition, nn- 
nieriiuric^us ser\ice during the war. In De- obtrusive and unassuming, he is patient 
ceml^er, 1865. the D('Ctt>r returned from under adverse criticism, and in his ex- 
Fort Craig. Xew Mexico, to Cincinnati, and pressions concerning brother practitioners 
in ii^(i6 he became demonstrator of anatomy is friendly and indulgent, 
in the Miami Medical College, where he re- The genealogy of the Courtright family 
mained for two vears. In 1868 he came to is traced bv Riker, the histurian-y^enealoeist. 
Lithopolis, where he has since resided. to the fourteenth centur\-. 

In May i:>f that year he was united The name was originally \an Kortrvk, 
in marriage td Miss Margaret Cornelia and as family names were the exception and 
Stevens, of Lebani n. Warren county, and not the rule anmng r.nr early forefathers, 
thev now haxe ime scm, Jesse Stevens, who sijme difficultx' has been experienced by 
is a resident of Pickaway county. The genealogists in tracing the family history of 
Doctor is a member (^f the Grand Arra_\- many of the old families. During the time 
post and iif the Loyal Legion. He is also a of John Calvin the \an Kortryks, like many 
member of the soldiers' relief commission other of the old and wealthier families, be- 
of Bloom townshi]). He is a Knight Tem- came Protestants (or followers of Calvin), 
plar ^lason and has attained the thirty-sec- They builded churches and the Protestants 
ond degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also> became x'ery strong numericall_\- as well as 
identihed with the Presbyterian church, is financially, but the church of Rome was 
its treasiu'er. and for thirty-five years has very powerful, and In- superior forces drove 
been one (.-f its faithful members. Ke was the members of the new religious sect from 
also president of the board of pension ex- their native country. The van Kortryks 
aminers for nearly four years. He has inhabited the country along the Ixirders of 
ser\-ed as the president of the scho il Ixrard .^pain and France, but the religious ]>erse- 
■of Lithopolis and takes a deqi interest in cution dro\'e ther.i to Flan<lers and thence 
everything that pertains to the pul)lic wel- to Leerdom — central of the district stood 
fare. In ]>olitics he has alwa\s supported the city of Leerdom, gi\ing name to a coun- 
the Democratic partw In the line of his ty in which it was situated, — a le\-el grazing 
profession he is connectefl with the Hock- country, otherwise called the Prince's Land, 
ing Valley Medical Association and i'^ a life because inherited by a son of William of 
member of the State Medical Society of Orange from his mother, .\nne of Fgniont. 
Ohio. He also belongs to the American Tn the language of the historian, "'i'o Leer- 
Medical Association. He is an extremely dom had retired from the religious troubles 
busv and successful practitionier, constantly in F'landers the family of Sebaslicn or 
overburdened bv demands for his services, Bastiaen \an Kortryk — about all we knmv 
br)th professionallv and socially. He is a of this Kortryk jirogenitor with his royal 
man of the highest and purest character, an Spanish name.'' During the humane rule 
industrious and ambitious student and was of Philip the Fourth the condition of the 



,5o THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Protestants I)ecame niucli improved, but lineal descendants of the original Michiel or 

later witnessed cruel persecutions. On the "Chiel — with their families embarked on a 

river Lvs was builded a city named after vessel called the "Brindled Cow." Jan Ber- 

the family. Riker says: "Kortryk was a g^n, master, for Xew .\msterdam (New 

Flemish town yet farther down the Lys, York). They arrived in New York anil lo- 

which within the i>rfvi<ius century had wit- cated in what is now the upper portion of 

nessed cruel persecutions, and during the the city and in the division of the county, 

existing war (how great its calamities!) The township 'in which they' li\ed was 

had changed hands four times in five years, named after the fainily — Kortright, for the 

But one of its families had escaped these name had then Ijeen Anglicized ti> that 

last troubles by leaving some years before; extent. 

w^e refer to the ancestors of the Kortrright The great-great-grandfather of the sul> 
or Courtright family, in its day one of the ject of this sketch. Lawrence Kortright. was 
most wealtln- in landed possessions in Har- the eldest son of his father. Cornelius Kort- 
lem." right. He was a merchant and became 
Sebastien ( r Bastiaen von. or van. wealthy and ])rominent. In the old French 
Kf)rtryk was the bead of the Courtright war he wa.si part owner of several privateers 
family as far as can be traced by gene- fitted out at New ^"<irk against the enemy. 
alogisls. lie liveil in the fourteenth cen- He was one of the fotinders of the Chamber 
turv from all that can he learned of him. of Commerce. lie liad large interests in 
He was the father of two bovs. Jan and Tyro county lands. Before bis death 
Michiel. Thev were born at l^eerdom. he conveyed his lands to his only son. 
While they both married, we knmv nothing John, the great-grandfather of the sub- 
of the progeny of the former, but Michiel. ject of this sketch. He died in 1794. 
or 'Chiel, Kortrvk seemed to prosper. In By his wife, who was Hannah .\spin- 
twentieth centurv ])arlance he l)ecame wall, besides his son John, who was 
"rich." and lived with his family for some a captain and afterwards folouel during 
time in a jirettv village called "Schoonre- the Revolutionary war. but better known 
wncrd." two miles northerly from Leerdom, as "Captain John," he had four daugh- 
hU birlhpl:icc. ter.s — Sanih, who married Colonel John 
In ;uid about Leerdom and Schoonre- Heylinger. (►f Santa Cruz: Hester, who 
woerd these jjcople and descendants lived married Nicholas Gouverneur. F.vcpure; 
for alxnit one hundred years. Selling out I'.Iizabeth. who naarried Hon. James Mon- 
their estates, which the historian says were roe, who afterwards became twice governor 
"large." thev went to the city of Amster- of Virginia and twice ])resident of the 
ilam. where thev and iheir descendaiUs lived United States, and author of the famous 
for about another century. "Monroe D(x:trine:" and Mary, who mar- 
On .\\>r\\ If), iTiA^, two of the van or ried Thomas Knox. Esquire, 
von Kortrvks. bv name Jan and Michiel — Captain John married Catharine, daugh- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



•51 



ter of Edmund Seaman, Esquire. He died 
in 1810, leaving a widow, who afterward 
marrieil Henry B. Livingston, Esquire. 
His son Jo'hn, tlie grandfather of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, emigrated from Pennsyl- 
vania about the beginning of the last cen- 
tury and located in Bloom township in 
1802, where he lived continuous!}' until his 
death, in 1863. His youngest son, Jesse D., 
married Sally Stout, to whom were born 
nine children, four daughters and five sous : 
Mary Jane, who married Thomas Cole, now 
deceased : Sarah, who married E. Westen- 
ha\-er, nowi deceased ; Elizabeth, now the 
widow of the late E. F. Berry ; John, a prom- 
inent farmer of \Valnut township, Pickaway 
county : Judge Samuel W., of Circleville : 
Dr. Alva P., now deceased: and Edson B., 
who (Hed just as he had attained his man- 
hood : and the youngest girl, who died in 
infancy ; also George S., the subject of above 
sketch. 

riefore the Revolution the prefix van 



or von was dropped, but the name was 
ne\'er completely Anglicized until the lat- 
ter part of the eighteenth centur\-. when by 
commou consent the tirst syllable was 
changed to "Court" instead of "Kiirt." The 
name became changed about that time in 
other respects, one of the family writing his 
name "Cartwright.'' Peter Cartwright. the 
world-famous Methodist preacher, was a 
cousin of grandfather Courtright. Another 
member of the family removed to Mary- 
land and his name was changed or c<:)r- 
rupted to- "Cutright." and we have in 
southern Ohio a large family ijr faiuilies Vty 
that name, descendants of the ]\laiwlander. 

But the family as a family dropped the 
prefix "van" or "von," later Anglicized the 
second and later the first, so that the name 
has been for more than a, century Coiu't- 
right. 

It would require a volume tO' give in de- 
tail the complete history of this family, the 
foregoing being but a brief synopsis. 



JAMES W. WILSON. 



James W. Wilson is a representative of 
])ioneer families of Fairfield county and 
makes his home on section 33, dreenfield 
townshi]!, where lie follows farming. Here 
he was born on the 5th of May, iSt8. His 
paternal grandfather was the Hon: Nathan- 
iel Wilson, a nati\-e of Scotland, who after 
emigrating to the new world resided near 



Carlisle, Penn.sylvania, for a time and then 
came to Ohio, settling in Fairfield countv, 
where he was a distinguished earl}- resident. 
He served a'^ a member of the state legis- 
lature and as a justice of the ])eace. and 
his worth and ability made him a leader of 
])nblic thought and action. After aliout 
eight years' residence in l""airfielil count\- he 



152 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Avas called to his reward in the home 
beyond. 

His son. William Wilson, the father of 
our subject, was Ijorn within two miles of 
Carlisle, I'ennsylvania, anil there remained 
until his removal to Fairfield county. Ohio. 
He aiKl his four brothers located near Lan- 
caster, three of them making their homes 
on .section 2i2i- ' 'i^ father of our subject 
■vvas united in marriage to Rachel Wells, a 
daughter of General lames Wells, an old 
Revolutionary soldier, who was severely 
wounded by the Indians. HSs ancestry 
could be traced back to James Wells, an 
Knglishman. who on crossing the Atlantic 
settled in llaltiniore. Maryland. He was 
twice married and had twelve children by 
each marriage, .\mong the number was 
(ieneral James Wells, who was born in 
Frederick county. Maryland, in the year 
1751. while his death occurred on the 29th 
of January. 1S14. when he was .sixty-three 
years of age. lie served as a soldier under 
Washington and tradition says that it was 
in the Revolutionary war that he won the 
title of general. In 1775 he married Rachel 
Brown, a daughter of Colonel Richard 
Brown. On the 17th of .\pril. 1795. he 
was matle an associate judge of Somerset 
county. PeniTsylvania. Later he removed 
from that county to Holiday's Cove nn the 
Oiiio river, where his father-in-law then 
lived. In the fall of i8oi.he arrived in 
Ohio. ;it which time there were only three 
or four log cabins at Lancaster, and when 
the land sales took place be bought twelve 
hundred and eighty acres in one body, in 
r.reentield townshi]). He gave the greater 
part of his attention to fanning and at one 



time served as justice of the peace of Green- 
held township, .\mong his children was 
Rachel Wells, who on the 14th of Octolier. 
180J. became the wife of William Wilson. 
Their marriage tiKvk place at the forks of 
the Hocking in (ireenfield township. His 
death occurred September 26. 1831, and his 
wife passed away in 1842 at the age of hfty- 
tive years. After their marriage they lived 
in a little log cabin in Greenheld township 
and in true pioneer style their early married 
life was passed. Unto them were born ten 
children: Amanda. Minerva. Calista. Eliza- 
beth. Rachel. Louisa. Nathaniel. James W., 
William Harvey and .\mbrose. Only two 
of the number are now living, namely: 
James W.. of this review: and Louisa, the 
wife of Henry l*ence. a resident of Brad- 
ville. I'age county. Iowa. 

James W. Wilson, of \W\< re\ icw . was 
the seventh child and second son o\ the fam- 
ily and the only one still Tiving in Fairfield 
county. He remained ujKin the home farm, 
where he is now living until twenty-one 
years of age. after which he s]>ent two years 
in Indiana. On the expiration of that 
period be returned and has since remained 
upon the farm, giving his entire life to agri- 
cultural pursuits. He has ever lieen pro- 
gressive in his methods of farming and the 
(ields have returned to him a golden trib- 
ute in return for his careful labors and act- 
ive management. 

On the 17th of January. 1844. James W. 
Wilson was united in marriage to Rosann 
\\'olf. a native of Pickaway county. Ohio, 
born on the tst of January, 1819, and a 
daughter of Philip and Rebecca' f Phillip) 
\\'olf, the former a native of Pennsvlvania 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



•53 



and tlie latter of Marylaiul. Her tatlier was 
twice married, Airs. Wilson being- the 
young'est O'f eleven children. She was 
reared in Pickaway cnunty, Ohio, and by 
her marriage has becume the mother of seven 
children: George, who is li\-ing in Pick- 
away county; Gustine. who lives at home; 
John, of Pickaway county; McLury, who 
resides south of Lancaster: Rachel and Re- 



becca. wh(j are at home: antl Lucretia, wh<-> 
is deceased. Throughout his entire life Mr. 
Wilson: has given his political .support toi the 
Democracy, but has had no desire for pub- 
lic office, preferring that his attention should 
be given to his farming interests, in which 
he has met with a very creditable degree of 
success, being numbered among the well- 
to-do farmers of his vicinitv. 



PHILEMON B. STANBERY. 



The true measure of indixidual success 
is determined by what one has accomplished, 
and. ;is taken in contradistinction to tlie old 
adage that a prophet is not without honor 
sa\-e in his own country, there is particular 
interest attaching to the career of the sub- 
ject of this re\'iew, since he is a native son 
of the place where he has passed his active 
life, and sO' directed his aljilitv and effort-S 
as to gain recognition as one of the repre- 
sentative citizens of Lancaster. He is act- 
ively connected with a profession which has 
important bearing upon the progress and 
stable prosperity of any section or com- 
munity, and one which has long been con- 
sidered as conserving the jniblic welfare by 
furthering the ends of justice and main- 
taining indi\idua1 rights. For manv years 
he served on the probate bench and no more 
capable officer has ever occupied that posi- 
tion. 

An inherited tendencv and environment 



ha\-e both undoubtedl}- had much to dO' in 
shaping- the career of Judge Philemon Beech- 
er Stanbery. His maternal grandfather was 
Philemon Beecher, a nati\-e of V'irginia, 
who became an eminent member of the bar 
of Lancaster, of which Thomas Ewing was 
so long the acknowledged leader. His 
daughter married Henry Stanbery, who was 
the second member of that l>ar in point of 
abihty and distinction. Among" the five 
children born of Henry and Frances E. 
(Beecher) Stanlwr}" was the subject of this 
review, and in his christening was perpetu- 
ated the full name of his maternal grand- 
father. Plis ])arents had become residents 
of Lancaster, where his father was prac- 
ticing law, and it was here that the Judge 
was liorn on the 5th of May, 1832. .\t the 
usual age he entered the public schools and 
later he spent four years as a student iu' the 
Kinsley Military Academy, situated nn the 
Hudson river, one mile below W'est Point. 



'54 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



where lie remained between tlie ages of 
thirteen and seventeen years. Like his fa- 
ther lie manifested special fondness for 
books and a desire to acquire a broad 
classical education. He mastered his studies 
with ease and rapidity and when seventeen 
years of age matriculated in Kenyon Col- 
lege at Gambier, Ohio, where he remained 
two years, that institution being one of the 
most reputable for higher education in the 
west, numbering among its students men 
\\ilio afterward attained marked distinction 
in various walks of life. The Judge, how- 
ever, completed his college course in the 
Ohio University in .\thens, where he was 
graduated with high honors with the class 
of 1853. 

At that time he entered ui>on his busi- 
ness career as a member of a corps of civil 
engineers engaged in surveying the line and 
establishing the grade of the Ohio Central 
and Mf the Little ^Miami Railroads. UiK>n 
the completion of this work in 1856 he made 
his way westward to Fort Des Moines, 
which afterward became the capital of Iowa, 
and at that jilace he was admitted to the bar 
and entered upmi the practice of law. for 
during his college course and subsequent 
thereto he had quietly and i)ersistently pur- 
sued a course of reading and study of the 
law under the direction of his father, so that 
he was well rpialified to become an active 
member of the i)rofession. When two years 
had ]>assed he remo\ed to Leavenworth, 
Kansas, where he remained until i860, but 
he had a stronger attachment for the state 
of his nativity than he did for the west and 
after four vears s-]>ent beyond the IMissis- 
sipi)i he returned \i> r)Iii(i and tnok up his 



abcxle in Pomeroy. where he entered into a. 
law partnership with Captain S. .\. Burnap, 
which continued for several years. 

At the opening of the Rebellion Mr. 
Stanljery became a patriotic advocate of the 
Union cause and manifested his loyalty to 
the national government by joining Com- 
pany E of the Fourth l^egiment of West 
Virginia Infantry, of wiiich he was made a 
first lieutenant in July, 1861. Lnmediately 
afterward he was apiMiinted adjutant of the 
regiment and in 1S62 was selected by Gen- 
eral H. B. Ewing as chief of staff, in which 
capacity he served until his return to his 
regiment in 1863. At the siege of Vicks- 
Imrg in that } ear he was severely wounded 
and in consequence of his disability occa- 
sioned by his injuries he was granted an 
honorable discharge from the service on the 
loth of September, 1863. 

L'pon his return Imme Judge Stanbery 
resuine<l the practice of law and his clientage 
gradually increased in volume and im- 
portance with the growth of the town. In 
public affairs he also took an active part and 
was elected mayor of Pomeroy, discharging 
lx>th the administrative and judicial duties 
appertaining to the ofifice with such popular 
api>roval as to command re-election again 
and again, and when at length his mayor- 
a1tv service was ende<l he retired from 
office as he had entered it. — with the con- 
fidence and g(xid will of the entire public. 
Tn 1870 he was elected probate judge of 
^[eigs county, and twice afterward was he 
chosen to that office, holding the positi<in 
for nine successive years. A contenqxirary 
biographer, in speaking of this period of his 
life, has .stated: "All the rights and inter- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



155- 



ests of widows and orplians, heirs and 
legatees were carefully protected. His 
official duty was performed in accordance 
with the law and his own sense of justice, 
without favor or prejudice. His intellectual 
integrity and moral honesty no less than the 
obligation imposed by his oath oi office im- 
pelled not simply a financial accounting but 
also painstaking" investigation to ascertain 
the right and the equity of every claim, 
whether of heir or creditor. Through it all 
he maintained the judicial acunicn. the un- 
swerving impartiality and the discrimi- 
nating sense of justice which belv>ng to the 
legal mind: the sensitiveness to criticism 
and the delicate appreciation of honor 
which are among the noteworthy character- 
istics of the noble and high-spirited man. 
In public office and in private life he has 
proved his fitness to be designated as the 
upright judge, the honest man." 

On the 20th of November, 1867, Judge 
Stanbery was united in marriage to Miss 
Margaret M. Hart. Five children were 
born of this union, Cecilia, Henry, Phile- 
mon B., Hart and Louisa. All oif them are 
living except the eldest daughter, Cecilia, 
who died at the age of twenty-three. She 
was a most charming young woman in all 
the graces of person and the attributes of 
mind. Her vivacity, sweetness of temper, 
and the loveliness of character lent a distinct 
attractiveness to the delightful home, and 
her early death brought to the hearts of 
doting parents the dee]>est grief. In re- 
membrance of her inspiring virtues, and as 
a fitting memorial. Judge Stanbery erected 
at Pnmern\- a handsome rectory in connec- 
tion with Grace Episcopal churcli. i.ne of 



the most artistically beautiful church edi- 
fices in southern Ohio in architecture and 
adornment. 

The Judge is an honored and active 
meiuber of the Grand Army of the Repub- 
lic, belonging to Gamaliel Bartlett Post, of 
Pomeroy. He takes great interest in per- 
petuating the comradeship and the memory 
of the great achievements of the Civil war. 
In all his business affairs Judge Stanljery 
has been known as a man of sterling worth 
and unswerving integrity. He possesses ex- 
cellent executive force land keen saga,city 
and these elements have enabled him to 
make judicious investments which ha\-e 
proven a source of desirable profit and in^ 
come. He has never engaged in speculation,, 
but along legitimate business lines has won 
a handsome competence. He has ever 
occupied a prominent position in the fore- 
most rank of the legal practitioners r.f Lan- 
caster. His life has been one of untiring 
acti\ity and has been crowned with a high 
degree of success, yet he is not less esteemed 
as a citizen than as a lawyer, and his kindly 
impulses and chamiing cordiality of man- 
ner have rendered him exceechngly ])opular 
among all classes. The favorable judgment 
which the world passed upon him in his 
early years has never been set aside nor in 
any degree modified. It has, on the con- 
trary, been emphasized by his careful con- 
<luct of inip()rtant litigation, his candor and 
fairness iu the presentation of cases, his 
zeal and earnestness as an advocate, and the 
generous commendation he has received 
from his contemporaries, whoi unite in 
bearing tcstimonv as to liis high character 
and superior mind. 



a 56 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



REV. GEORGE W. HALDERMAN. 



'J'lie stamp desiffiiating true nobility of 
cliaracter must ever find its ineffable tracery 
on the l)r()\v of one who sets hinuself apart 
from the "mailcUui^- crowd's ii^'iioble strife" 
and dedicates liis life to the uplifting of his 
fellow men. More than superficial investi- 
gation is demanded when oue essays to de- 
ternirine the mental struggle and the spirit 
of unselfish devotion that must animate the 
man who gives all that he has and all thai 
be hopes to he to service in the great vine- 
yard if life, seeking reward only in that 
realm '"where moth and rust do not corrupt 
and where thiex'es do not break through and 
steal." J^-eparations for labors in the ])ric-t 
hood are ])erforce exacting, demanding an 
c\cr ready sym])athy, a broad intellectuality 
and an unswer\ing tidelity. Scoffing synic- 
ism and careless irrexerance wnuld often be 
silenced if onl\- the inner life of those who 
ministered in holy places might l)e laid oi>en 
for inspection. Honor is due au<l honor will 
be i>aid when once there conies a dee]»er un- 
derstanding of the trutli. 

We are led to this train of thought 
thr(/Ugh retlecting ttpon the life record of 
the kev. George W. Halderman. 1). D.. who 
\i>v twenty-two years was i>astor of tiie First 
I-'.ngli-h J.uthcran church of Lancaster, and 
whose inllnence was of no restricted order, 
for he was one of the most distinguished 
rq)reseiitati\es of his denominatiini in this 
])art of the country. ?lis birth occurred in 
Center county. I'ennsvKania. March i, 
1833. his ]>arents being Samuel and .Mar- 
garet ( Kollnie\er ) lialderman. l>otli of 



whom were natives of Germany. The Doc- 
ter accpiired his early education in Sunbury, 
Pennsylvania, but lie had to depend largely 
upon his own resources in order to secure 
more than a common school training. He 
taught school ill (iermantown. Kentucky for 
two years, being jirinciijal of the Boys' Pre- 
paratory School there. He afterward con- 
tinued his studies and was graduated in 
Wittenberg College of Springfield. Ohio, 
as one <i'f the honored men of his class. He 
then ser\ed for a short time under (ieneral 
J. Warren Keifer. in the Ci\il war. and 
aided in the cajrture of the noted rebel 
leader Morgan, lie then iLgain t(«)k up his 
College work an<l wa.s graduated in the theo- 
logical department <if \\'ittenl)erg College, 
after wliich he was assigned to his |)astorate 
at \ an Wert. ( )hio. Subsecpienth' he went 
to llarrisbnrg. reniisvK ania. and in the 
spring of 1S70 he came to Lancaster as pas- 
t<>r of the h'irst English Lutheran church, 
remaining in charge fo.r ten years, during 
which time he also preached every Sun<la\- 
afternoon in the Hoys' Industrial School 
from the time of its estal)lishment. He 
labored untiringly and won the respect and 
esteem of all peo])le of all denominations as 
well as those of his own congregation. I'er- 
lia]is there has been no more po'])ular minis- 
ter in this city than was the Kev. Cieorge 
W. Halderman. His .scholarly attainments, 
his deep understanding of the wellsjirings of 
conduct and of human action as well as bis 
comprehensive knowledge of Christianity 
and his oratorical ahilit\- made him a most 





^. 9^,!^ CuS^/^Unyi^. 



i^a/i-'^^ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



59^ 



eloquent, pleasant and entertaining preacher. 
In 1879, li()\ve\-er. he resigned his pastorate 
at Lancaster, and accepted a call tnim the 
Lutheran church at Polo, lUinnis, wherein 
he remained for three years. He afterward 
spent one year in Europe, and in the Holy 
Land, both for the benefit of his health and 
for the purpose of further study and re- 
search. On his return he accepted a pastor- 
ate in \\'ashington. Illinois, where he re- 
mained four years. Init at the end of that 
pericxl he again accepted a call from the 
First English Lutheran church of Lancaster, 
continuing as its pastor until up to the time 
of his death. 

Dr. Haldermjan was married on the 26th 
of April, 1864, to. Miss Mary Dallas Croth- 
ers, who' died October 29, 1866, and on the 
1 6th of July, 1873, he \Vas again united 
in the holy bonds of matrimony, the lady of 
his choice being Miss Philecta Griswold. 
daughter of Samiuel A. and Ethelyn ( Kel- 
ley) Griswold, a sketch of whom appears 
on another page of this work. Unto Dr. 



Halderman and his wife was born one son, 
J<jhn Crothers Halderman, who is now a 
lianker of Pawnee City, Xebraska. 

In 1887 our subject purchased a fine 
country home on the Cedar Hill Pike, about 
two miles west of the city, and the place is 
known as "Hallelujah ffeights." The resi- 
dence is a most beautiful one. with tasteful 
surroundings and is now occupied by Mrs. 
Halderman. The Doctor was only ill for 
a tewl days, holding communion in the 
church just six days before his death. His 
usefulness therefore continued until the last^ 
and this was as he wcxild have it. He passed 
awiay July 17. 1899, and his remiains were 
interred in the Forest Rose cemetery. Na^- 
ture l)estowed upon him man}' of her rarest 
gifts. He jjossessed a mind of extraordin- 
ary compass, an industry that 'brought forth 
every spark of talait with which nature had 
endowed him. He was in e\erv wav a most 
superior man, and moreover he used his abil- 
ity for the benefit oif his race, fur his town, 
his state and his nation. 



VAN S. BURTON. 



Van S. Burton, now deceased, wKkS, a 
man whom to know was to respect and 
honor, and throughout his entire life he 
lived soi as to win the confidence and high 
regard of all with whom he was associated. 
He was born in Pleasant township, Fairfield 
countv, in 1806, and always resided within 



its bordters. He was a son of Jacob and 
Mary (Swearingen) Burton, who were 
married June 6, 1790. It was in 1800 that 
they came to Ohio from Maryland, taking- 
up their abode in Fairfield county, where 
the father spent his entire life, dev(.ting his 
energies to agricultural pursuits. He be- 



*6o 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



came the owner of eight Inindred and 
fortv acres in • H(x:king township, one 
hundred and sixty acres in (Ireenfield 
township and also (wned land in I^'m- 
caster. He was a \ery prominent and in- 
rinential citizen, a recognized leader in 
pul)lic thought and action. A man of strong 
nientalit)- and keen insight, he also pos- 
sessed a patriotic spirit, was deeply intei- 
ested ill the welfare of his commamity and 
l)Ut f<irih c\ery eftort for its advancement 
and improvement. That he enjoyed in a 
high measure the regard and trust of his 
fellow men is shown by the fact that he was 
chosen one of the asscxiate judges <if his 
district during the early part of the nine- 
teenth century and was also elected to repre- 
sent his district in tlie territorial legislature, 
where he took an active part in framing the 
laws and measures that shaped the policy ol 
Ohio at an early period. He died in 1841 
and his wife pas.sed away some years pre 
viously at the age t;f seventy-si.\ years. In 
their family were ten children of whom \'an 
S. liurti'U was the ninth in order of birth. 
Mrs. Burton was widely known as a mid- 
wife through(nit the whole country. 

In taking u|) the personal history of 
\'an S. liurton we present to our readers 
the life record of one wlu) was widely and 
favoraI)lv known in Fairfield cmmty. He 
remained in I'leasant townshiji until 181 _■ 
wihcn his parents |nirchased land in Hocking 
township and remoxed to that farm. He 
then continued under the parental roof uiuil 
his mairriage. after which he remined to 
Hanc(K-k county and purchased land from 
the go\ernment. He develo])ed his claim 
into a rich farm and located thereon, making 



it a gofxl home for himself anil family, 
which was his place oX residence until 1844. 
when he returned to Fairfield county and 
])urchased the farm m Hocking township 
u[x>n which his si'U Isaac now resides, 'i'his 
was a tract of one hundred acres and \\\xm 
it he made all the improvements, for when 
it came into his possession not a furrow had 
been turned or an imi)ro\ement made. He 
erected a large, substantial frame residence 
with a big barn and a<lded other e<piipment.i, 
denoting the owner to Ijc a man of progres- 
sive spirit, in touch with the most mtxlern 
methrnls of agriculture. Throughout his 
remaining tlays he here carried on farming 
and his labors were crowned with a high de- 
gree of success. He was also a millwright 
by trade .and in his early life carridl on that 
pursuit, but after removing to Hncking 
township his attention was given entirely to 
fanning and sttxrk-raising. His business 
methods were ever honorable an<l straight- 
forward and gaine<l for him the regard and 
confidence of all with whoui he was asso- 
ciated. 

In Greenfield township. Fairfield counts. 
Mr. iiurton was uniteil in Ixmds of wed- 
lock to Fydia Rice, a daughter of Michael 
and Rachel ( Kester) Rice. Her father 
was a native son of Pemisylvania and came 
to Ohio in 1800. before the admission of 
the state into the vmion. He was a 
soldier of the Revolutionary war and was 
present at the surrender of Cornwallis. 
When the country became inxohed in the 
second war with luigland he joined the 
.American troops atnl fought for the rights 
of the nation. He acted as a teamster also. 
and hauled the baggage of General Harri- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



i6i 



son. \\!ii: was in coniniand of the tron]>s in 
this pi rtii.n of tlie coiuilry. His entire life 
was passedi in Greenfield township after his 
arrival in Fairfield county, and there he died 
at the age of eighty-nine years. He was a 
pros].ierijus farmer, whose unremitting dili- 
gence and unflag-ging industry were tlic 
means of enabling him to acquire a very 
handsome competence. 

Unto ;\Ir. and Mrs. Burton were born 
ten children, uf whom eight are yet living, 
as foll<n\s : Jacob resides upon the old home 
farm. Isaac and Alichael are also living 
upon the farmi and are associated in its 
operation. Rachel died at the age of sixt\- 
one. She was the widmv of Elijah AlilH- 
gan, a blacksmith of Clear Creek township. 
Shipman X. resides upon the old hinie 
place. He is married and has a family. 
George died in 1876, at the age of thirty- 
one }'ears. Hannab is also upon the old 
h(_)mesiead. Van resides in Greenfield 
townshi}) with his wife and family. Lydia 
is the wife <»f Daniel SiiYord, a retired 
lumiljerman of Lancaster. JNIary, who' com- 
pletes the familw is also' upon the old home- 
stead. The father of this family passe<l 
away on the nth of July, 1888, at the age 
of eight_\--two years, and his death was 
widely and deeply mourned for he was long 
accounted one oif the n:ost honc»red and re]?- 
resentative citizens of Fairfield county. 
Throu.gh much of the centuiy he witnessed 
its growth and took an active interest in alj 
that jiertained to- its welfare and advance- 
ment. He saw its wild lands transformed 
into beautiful homes and farms, while 
splendid ])ikes took the place of Indian trails 
and the railroad, telegraph and telephone 



were introduced. He ser\-ed as justice of 
the peace while li\ing in llancock county, 
tilling the office for eight or ten years. lj;;t 
he was never a politician in the sense ot 
office seeking, pieferring that his attention 
should be given tO' business aff'airs and to 
tlie discharge of his duties o5 citizenship 
v>ithout regard to office. His political sup- 
poi't was gi\-en the Democrac}- and he was 
fearless in his defense of what he believed to 
be right. His wife died upon the old home- 
stead farm in 1891, when nearly eighty-one 
years of age. She w^as a n:jember of the 
Lutheran church. Both were people of the 
highest respectability and wherever known 
they won friends who esteemed them fi.ir 
their genuine worth. 

Isaac Burton w'as Ixim in Hancock coun- 
ty December 29, 1835. and was nine years 
of age when Ijrought by his i>arents to- Fair- 
field' county. Since his father's death he 
has been associated with his brothers, Jacob 
and Michael, in the conduct of the old home 
farnt, and all are well knoAvn agriculturists 
of unfailing hoiior and unremitting dili- 
gence. Michael was infirmary director oi" 
I'^airfield count\- for si.x vears. Jacob has 
been assessor of the township for a number 
of terms and at all times each of the brothers 
'lias been found loyal to his duties of citi- 
zenship and toi the right. Jacob Burton was 
lx5rn April 21, 1833, in Hocking- towiisiiip 
and in early life learned the trade of cor- 
penter. which he followed for si:>me years, 
after which he turned his attention to. .gen- 
eral farming, which business now claims all 
his time and energy. Michael Burton was 
born in Hancock county. Ohio, Xoveniiber 
7, 1837, and' when seven years of age lie 



l62 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



accom]>anied Iiis parents to tliis county, accessories of a model farm of the twentietli 

The tliree brothers are now associated in century. The family is one of prominence 

the ownership and operation of the old home in the community and its members have ever 

farm, which is kept in splendid condiition enjoyed in a hig-h degree the friendsliip and 

and is supplied with all the ecpiipments and confidence <if their fellow men. 



JOHN BLAUSER. 



That the family of which our subject is 
a representative is one of the oldest in Fair- 
field county, is indicatetl l)y the fact that his 
grandparents took up their residence here. 
They cast in their lot with the citizens and 
lx>re their part in the work of primitive de- 
velopment and progress. John Blauser. of 
this review, now li\ing al*»ut two mtiles 
north of the xillage of Baltimore, in Lilierty 
township, was born uixm the farm which 
he yet occupies, July lo, 1840, his parents 
being John and Susan (Staller) Blauser. 
H|is father was a native of V'irg^inia. l)«>rn 
Sq)lemll>er 28, 1794. and' the grandfather. 
Abraliam Blauser, was of Gennan lineage. 
Susan Blauser, the mother of our subject. 
was bom January 2, 181 1. and the marriage 
of the i>arents was celebrated March 4. 1830. 
John Blauser, Sr., cajne to Ohio when a 
young lx>y, in comtimny with his parents, 
the family settling in Licking county, where 
the gramdparents of our subject Ix'th died 
at a ri|>e old age. .\fter his marriage, in 
1830, John Blauser, Sr.. removed to the 
northern ])art of Lil>erty township. Fairfield 
county, taking ui> his alxnle in an old log 



cabin. Alter about two years he renuned 
to the farm now^ ixcupied l)y the subject of 
this review, then comprising one hundred 
sixty acres of timil)er land, which he pm^- 
chased for one hundred and twenty-five 
dollars. When the time caniie to make the 
first ]>ayment he killed his only hog and 
gave one-half of it in order to meet the in- 
debtedness. There was not a single im- 
provement uiK)n the ))lace when it came into 
his [xissession. but with characteristic energy 
he l)eg-an clearing the land, cultivating the 
cnxps and placing it under a high state of 
improvement. The pike which now e.\ten<ls 
in front of his house was then but a little 
wagon road scarcely more than a trail lead- 
ing throng ii the woods. It was \ ery 
crooked, having l>een directed in this way 
becau.se of the trees which st(Kxl throughout 
the district. John Blauser, Sr., starte<l upon 
his business career without a dollar, but he 
came one of the extensive land owners of 
the couiUy. his home farm comprising three 
hundred and forty acres of ven- rich and 
arable land, .substantially developed, all hav- 
ing been accunnilateil through his own ef- 




JOHN BLAUSER AND WIFE 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



i6s 



forts. At his death liis land was di\ide:l 
among his children and is still in the jKisses- 
sion (if the family. Buth he aaid his wile 
were memhers uf the Dunkard chmxli and 
were consistent Christian peuple. They had 
eight children : Elizaibeth, the deceased 
wife (if Samnel Miller: Ephraim, wIki re- 
sides in Liberty t(3wnship; Anna, the de- 
ceased wife of Fred \\'agner; Mary, the 
wife of JNIichael Holder, their home being 
in Liberty township, sontheast of Baltimore; 
Priscilla, the wido-w of John J. Holder, w Ikj 
died north of Baltimore; Rachel, the de- 
ceased wife of Jacob Smoke; John, of this 
review ; and' Solomon, wdio resides in Liber- 
ty township. The father of these children 
was a lifelong Democrat, and while he ne\-er 
sought or desired otfice for himself he was 
ever faithful to the duties of citizenship 
which led tO' the promotion and impn-n-e- 
ment of his adopted county. He died Sep- 
tember 4, 1870, when about seventy-six 
years of age and his wife passed away May 
21, 1S53, their remains being interred in 
the oldl Liberty cemetery in the township 
where thev had so long resided. 

John Blauser, wihose name introduces 
this record, resided at home until after his 
father's death. His educational privileges 
were limited and the opportunities afforded 
in the old log school house such as 
wias commK.in to the frontier. 'Die m/etho'ds 
of instruction were primitive and embraced 
little more than the "three R's." After the 
father's death he removed to his present 
farm, a part of the old In mnestead, C(7m'pris- 
ing fifty acres. As a companion and help- 
mate for life's journey he chose Miss Mary 
A. Linden and they were married September 



17. 1 87 1. The lad\- was liorn in (_ierniany 
and was a daughter of Jacobi and Catherine 
Linden, being brought to America by her 
parents wdien only seven months old. They 
located in Bagil, Ohio, where thev ranained 
imtil Mrs. Blauser was a maiden of eleven 
years, when the father went to Indiana, 
where his death occurred, his wife ha\ing 
passedi aiway w'hen Mrs. Ijlauser was only 
six-years old. She has a sister and a half- 
brcjther, Rosanna, the wife of A. Rauch, of 
Indiana, and Albert, who is living in the 
same state. Untoi our subject and his wife 
were tern eleven children : Israel married 
Mo'llie Kumler and they reside in the west- 
ern part oif Liberty towtiship. They ha\e 
three children, Russell, Israel and ]\fa\'. 
Clarence, the second member of the family, 
died at the age of eighteen years. Otto 
marriedi Nora Warner, by whom he has one 
son, Dwight. and their' h(jme is in Libertv 
township. John is still under the parental 
rcK^f. Edward married Winnie Giesy, and 
their home is in Liberty township. Henry, 
Cleveland, Mollie and Charles are all at 
home. Blanche is deceased. Ruth is with. 
her parents. 

Mr. Blauser started in life with his fifty 
acres that he had from his parents' estate 
and as his farm work bore him good return 
for labor, his capital Ijeing- thereiljy increased, 
he also added to- his landed possessions and 
in course of time became the oiwner of three 
hundred and sixty-fix e acres. This is a verv 
rich, arable ai^d x'alualile tract O'f land and 
he is now one of the largest tax-payers in 
the township. He votes with the Democracy. 
He and his faniil)' are connected with the 
United Brethren church, in which he has 



1 66 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



long served as member of tlie Ixjard of trus- 
tees, acting- at the present time as chairman 
of the hoard. His attention is given to gen- 
eral farming and sKxk-raising and he ships 
stock directly to the eastern markets. His 
life proves conclusively that success does not 
result from gaiius, or from a fortunate 
oomhinntion of circumstances but may be 
gained as llie life reward of earnest lalxvr 



guided l)y sound judgment. He has been 
\ery prosperous and he owes his advance- 
ment to his indefatigable energy and keen 
business ability. He has niioreover in the 
conduct of his affairs gained a very enviable 
reputation for honesty, and tlie name of 
Jolin Rlauser is one known and liighly hon- 
ored by his accpiaintances throughout this 
|>ortion of the state. 



F. J. BUSCHEMEYER. 



Since 1889 F. J. Buschaiieyer has 
■served as superintendent of the Fairfield 
County Infirmary and his official record is 
one worthy of the highest commendation, 
for he has been most loyal to the trust re- 
posed in him and under his supers'ision 
many important reforms and iinprovanents 
have .Ijeen introduced. A gentleman of 
broad sympathy and humanitarian princi- 
ples, he puts forth every effort in his iK)wer 
to improve the condition of those who come 
under his care. He has a wide acquaint- 
ance in Fairfield county ajid throughout this 
portion of the state is held in high regard. 

As Iiis name indicates Mr. Buschemeyer 
is of Cierman birth. Tlie place of his na- 
tivity is Minden. Prussia, and his natal day 
June 14. 1842. .\t the age of six years 
lie entered the ])ublic schools of the fatiier- 
land, where he remained until fourteen years 
of age and then continaied his studies in an 



academy, remaining there until his seven- 
teenth year. At that time he crossed the 
Atlantic in a sailing vessel and after a peril- 
ous and tedious voyage of sixty-seven days 
landed ui)on the shores of the new Avorld. 
His ca])ital was very limited so that it was 
necessary for him to dqjend uixni his own 
e.xertions for a livelihotid. Diligent and en- 
teqjrising, he scorned no employment that 
would yield him an honest living' aiid 
worked at various kinds of labor. Going 
to Baltimore. Maryland, he there secured 
employment uj^on a farm, where lie contin- 
ued to work until 1859. In that year he 
entered the service of a firm engaged in 
building and contracting and when he had 
ac(juired a broad and accurate knowledge 
of the business, he commenced the study of 
architecture. 

In 1864 Mr. Buschemeyer returned to 
(iermany and spent one year at his old home. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



167 



but tlie new world liad a strong attraction 
for him find in 1865 lie once more crossed 
the briny deq> and in that year became a 
resident of Lancaster, Oiiio. On the 5th 
of April, 1806, he was united in marriage 
to Miss Julia Ann Hartman, of this city, 
a daughter of Henry Hartman. She, too, 
was born in Germany, her birth occurring 
in Bondorf, on the 14th of Sqjtember, 
1845, but she was only three years old when 
brought to America by her parents, who 
located on a farm in Hocking township, 
Fairfield county, about five miles west of 
Lancaster. Unto Air. and Airs. Busche- 
meyer were born nine children, seven of 
^^•hom reached years of maturity, but one 
one of the daughters is now deceased. 
Those still living are Frederick, Augustus, 
A\'illiam, Henry, Louise and Dora. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. 
Buschemeyer began their domestic life upon 
a farm of one hundred and sixty-four acres 
and there for many years our subject de- 
viated his energies to agricultural pursuits, 
Avhich he carried on successfully. He 
placed his fields under a high state of culti- 
N'atioii and progressive methods made his 
farming o]>erations a prosperous source of 
income. Although he started out in life 
with very limited financial circumstances, 
he steadily advanced until he reached the 
plane of affluence. He was ably assisted by 
his wife, who indeed proved to him a faith- 
ful companion and helpmate on the journey 
of life. His children, too, lx>re their share 
in the work of the farm and in a few years 
the familv were in comfortable circum- 



stances. Mr. Buschemeyer continued a rep- 
resentatixe of the agricultural interests of 
the connnunity until 1889, at which time he 
was appointed superintendent of the Fair- 
field Count\' Infirmary and for thirteen 
years, through dift'erent administrations, he 
has continued in the position, winning en^ 
comiums by reason of his fidelity to duty. 
His experience as an agriculturist well 
qualifies him to superintend the farming 
interests and at the same time he is most 
careful of the welfare and comfort of the 
inmates of the establishment. In this work 
he was most ably assisted by his wife, who 
served as matron of the institution until her 
death, which occurred on the 30th of Jan- 
uan,-, ic)02. Mrs. Buschemeyer, ever mind- 
ful of those intrusted to her care, discharged 
every dut\' without regard to her private 
interests or personal profits. To her hus- 
band and children she was a devoted wife 
antl loving mother. Mr. Buschemeyer had 
recently erected a new brick residence in 
Lancaster and he and his wife were eagerly 
looking forward to the time when they 
should occupy their new home, but the 
hand of death inter\'aied and Mrs. Busche- 
meyer was called tO' the home beyond. She 
long held membership in the Emanuel Lu- 
theran church and the funeral services were 
there held. Her life was full of kindness, 
of charity, and of good deeds, and all who 
knew her respected her for her excellent 
wiirk, while those who were intimately ac- 
quainted with her ha^-e for her deep love 
and regard. 

Mr. Buschemeyer is a wide-awake, en- 



1 68 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



terprising- citizen, wlio takes a deep interest here, his hte history has been such as to win 

in everything ])ertaining to the general \\e\- for him tlie confidence and good will of all 

fare. In manner he is genial and afifable, with whom he has been assfKiated in busi- 

and throughout the years of his residence ness or personal afifairs. 



JOHN S. BOOK. 



In the house in which he now resides, in 
Richmond townshij). h'airtield county. Jolin 
S. Book was horn in the year 1829. and his 
residence here covers more than the psalm- 
ist's span of three score years and ten. 
Throughout almost three-(iuarters of a cen- 
tury he has witnessed the ])rogress and de- 
velopment of this section of the country 
and has rejoiced in the advancement that 
has been made. He comes of an old \'ir- 
ginia family, his father, Samuel B(X)k, hav- 
ing been born at Xewmarket in August, 
i8o>, while the grandfather, John B<jok, 
was born in Germany in 1769, emigrating 
to this country- at an early age. He t(3ok 
up his abode in Lancaster county, Pennsyl- 
\'ania, and subsequently removed to Xew- 
market. Virginia, where he married Anna 
Barbara Miller, a native of that state. Sub- 
sequently they became residents of Obio, 
removing here in 1806, and four children 
blessed their marriage: Mary, Elizabeth, 
Samuel and Sarah. In jx>litics Mr. Book 
was au old-line Whig and was a member 
of the United Brethren church. 

Samuel Book, the father of our subject, 
acquired his early education in the old log 



school house which was a feature in every 
pioneer settlement. His training at farm 
labor was not meager. He attended school 
about three months of the year and during 
the remainder of the time assisted his father 
upon the home farm and in the wagonmak- 
ing siiop conducted by John Book. About 
1839 the latter invented a jjIow and in con- 
nection with his son Samuel began its man- 
ufacture in the town of Kushville, erecting 
there a liuilding for the purpose and equip- 
])ing a good foundry in order to make these 
plows and place them upon the market. 
Throughout his life Samuel Book also en- 
gaged in the manufacture of wagons and 
buggies. In the year 1828, be was united 
in marriage to Miss Savilla Sain, a native 
'if Fairfield county. Ohio, and they became 
the ])arents of seven sons and three daugh- 
ters, namely : John, of this review : David 
and William II., who have passed away: 
Thomas, who is living in Athens coiuity. 
Ohio: Samantha. deceased: George B.. a 
resident of Rushville: Samuel M., also liv- 
ing in Rushville: Edward S., of Canton, 
Ohio; Sarah B., who makes her home with 
her brother John: and Clara E.. the wife 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



169 



•of Fred L. Davis, of California. Samuel 
Book was an old-line \\'hig in his pulitical 
affiliations until the time of the Ci\'il war. 
wlien he became a Rqjublican. He was 
also a member of the Methodist church. 

John S. Book acquired his early educa- 
tion in a log schixd house that stood on the 
present site of tiie town hall of Rushville. 
When he was about ten years of age. how- 
ever, the building was torm down and was 
replaced by a wooden structure, which in 
course o-f time was supplanted by a fine 
brick building. Mr. Book continued as a 
■student of the public schools until he was 
sixteen years of age. when he began learn^ 
ing the harness making trade, filling a four 
years' apprenticeship in the town of Rush- 
ville. He afterward removed to Kentucky, 
where he remained for one and one-half 
years, there working at his trade of a sad- 
dler. On the expiration of that period he 



removed to Missouri, where he was em- 
ployed until i860. In that year he removed 
to the Cherokee Nation in the Indian Ter- 
ritory, where he followed harness making 
for a year. On account of the Civil war 
and the hostility of people in the south to 
those who came from the mirth, he then 
left the territory and made his way toi St. 
Louis, where he remained for some months, 
subsequently returning to Cincinnati. Since 
his return to Rushville. in 1884. he has 
worked to some extent at his trade and is 
now practically living a retired life, hav- 
ing reached the age of seventy-two years. 
In politics he is a Republican, but has taken 
no acti\-e part in political wi>rk. He has 
ne\-er sought or desired office. The only 
time he held a political position was when 
he served as town clerk. He belongs to 
one of the old families of the county and 
is well known, in this portion of O'hio. 



VAN H. GINDER. 



Van H. Cinder was burn in canton Basil, 
Switzerland. December 9, 1822. and is a 
son of John and Mary Cinder, both of 
whom were natives of the same pro\ince. 
They were fine silk ribbim weavers in the 
city of Basil, where they remained until 
1829, when they came tO' America, sailing 
from Havre de Grace, France, on an Amer- 
ican merchantman^, which was forty-two 
days in crossing the .\tlantic. For a short 



time they remained in Xew York and thence 
proceeded to Albany by steamer, where they 
took boat for Buffalo on the Erie canal, 
proceeding thence across Lake Erie to Port- 
land. Ohio. From the latter place they 
made their way in a one-horse wagon to 
Fairfield county, settling in the northeast- 
ern part of Liljerty township. 1m ir a few 
days the father remained with a man liv- 
ing in that locality and then went to W'al- 



I70 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nut township, where lie continued with a 
man by the name of Christ Weaver until 
1S30. In tiiat year he went tcj (ireenfield 
townshi]). where lie ])urchase(l thirty acres 
of land, and Ixith he and his wife died ui)on 
the farm which he there developed. They 
were the parents of three children, two sons 
and a daughter. John Gintler Ijeing" the 
eldest. Anna Mary became the wife of 
Peter Walters and they removed to Han- 
cock county, Ohio, where they developed a 
farm amidst the forest, but both are now 
deceased. \'an H. is the youngest of the 
family. The father died in 1K40. at the 
age of sixty-seven years, while the mother 
passed away in 1878. at the advanced age 
<jf eight\-two years, \yA\\ being interred in 
St. I'eters cemetery iu' Pleasant township. 
'J'hev were consistent ami acti\e members 
of the Reformed ciiurch. in which Mr. 
Ginder served as one of the deacons. They 
shaped their lives by their Christian belief 
and teachings and commanded the respect 
of all who knew them. In his political views 
the father w as a Democrat. 

Van H. (iinder began his education in 
the Paul schiiol of Walnut township, his 
teacher being the daughter of old Jesse 
Pugh. He afterward continued his studies 
in school Xo. I. in (ireenfield township, 
imder David l!iaiu. The first school he 
attended, however, was a sul)Scri])tion 
school, lessons being gi\en in an old log 
cabin. Mr. Ginder was largely employed in 
the ;ic(|uircmciit of an e<lucati<.n until 1841, 
whai he began learn.ing the blacksmith's 
trade, under the direction of Sanuiel Ross, 
of the xillasje nf I'.iltiniore, He ser\ed an 



apjirenticeship for three and one-half years 
and then followed the trade as a journey- 
man. After his fiirst marriage, in 1846, 
he conducted a blacksmith shop of his own 
in Baltimore, Ohio, and followed tliat pur- 
suit for alx»ut thirty-two years, or until 
1878. He now owns a rich and arable tract 
of thirty-five acres of farm land, also some 
village property, having judiciously placed 
his capital in the safest of all investments — 
leal estate. 

Mr. Ginder was married on the jgtii of 
■March, 1846, to Miss Reljecca Guilder, a 
native of Baltimore and a daughter of 
George and Sophia Guilder. The father 
died long j)rior to the marriage of his daugh- 
ter, after which her mother made her home 
with our subject until called to her final 
rest. One cbild was born of this union. La 
Fayette, who ilied at the age of seventeen 
years and was buried at Basil, in i8()8. His 
mother pas.sed away in 1878. at the age of 
eighty-two years. She was a meniber of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1891 
Mr. Ginder was again married, his second 
union being with Miss I'aiiny Kellenberger, 
a nati\e of Baltimore, Maryland. 

In 1870 Mr. Ginder was elected upon the 
Democratic ticket to the ofiice of justice of 
the peace, in which cajiacity he served con- 
tinuously until he had been in the office for 
thirty-two years. For eight years he Avas 
trustee of the Children's Home near Lan- 
caster. ff)r four years was trustee of 
Liberty township, while in ]8i)0 he served 
as laiMl appraiser of that township. He 
was iv.ayor of the village of BaltiuK.re for 
one \car. He has been a consistent Demo- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



171 



crat tlirough his entire life, frequently serv- industry, economy and activity has lirought 

ing as a delegate to the conventions of his to our subject a very comfortable compe- 

party. His wife is a member of the Re- tence and as the years have passed \'an H. 

formed church, while Mr. Ginder belongs Ginder has gained a creditable and leading 

to the United Brethren church. A life of position in financial circles. 



JAMES POOL. 



James Pool, now deceased, was a resi- 
dent of Greenfield township, Fairfield coun- 
ty, and the qualities of an upright man- 
hood were his, winning for him the esteem 
and confidence of his fellow men. He was 
born near Pittsburg, in Washington cnun- 
ty, Pennsylvania, December 11. 1819, and 
was a son of W'illiam I'ool, a native of Eng- 
land, who on crossing the Atlantic to Amer- 
ica took up his abode in Washingtoui coun- 
ty, Penns}'l\'ania. The subject of this re- 
view acquired his education in the public 
schools and spent the days of his boyhood 
and youth in the county of his nativity. In 
1842 he sought a Imme in Ohio, rcnioving 
to Hocking coun.ty. where he engaged in 
farming for twenty years, l>ecoming one of 
the successful, well known and esteemed 
agriculturists of that community. While 
there he was united in marriage to J^Iiss 
Alary Waller, a native of Obio and a daugh- 
ter of Samnel Waller, whose birth occurred 
in Virginia, and who was a soldier of the 
war of 18 r J, while the grandfather of Mrs. 
Pool was one of the heroes of the Revo- 
lution, valiantly aiding in the struggle fnr 
independence. 



Jn 1862 Mr. Pool went with his family 
to New Albany, Indiana, and there he es- 
tablished a marble and granite business in 
connection with his brother, the partner- 
ship, being maintained for four years. On 
the expiration of that period our subject 
sold out and in 1866 removed to Lancaster, 
Ohio, where he embarked in the same line 
of business. After conducting the enter- 
prise for a while, however, he put aside 
cares along that line and purchased one 
hundred and sixty acres of fine farming' 
land, a portion of Avhich is within the cor- 
porate limits. He located thereon and 
thrutighout his remaining davs gave his at- 
tention to the development and cultivation 
of the land, the rich fields returning tO' him 
golden harvests for his industry and dili- 
gence. He was very reliable in business and 
well d(ies he deserve the success which he 
has gained. 

Unto ]\lr. and Mrs. Poo! were Ijorn fonr 
childretiT, of whom three are now liviuig", 
Aslmry S. resides in Lancaster and mar- 
ried Miss Maria Stone. 1>\' whom he ha.s 
sexcn children: Lola, Belle, Minnie, Frank, 
Harr\-, .Smith and Ollie. Francis I\I. 



172 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



wedded Miss Ollie \'a]aitine and they re- 
side in Lancaster. \\'illiam died in youth. 
Margaret Elizabeth, to whom we are in^ 
debted for tlie history concerning^ her fa- 
ther, became tlie wife of Thomas J. ^IcFar- 
land, wlio for many years was a successful 
and popular traveling salesman. His par- 
ents were John C. and Amanda (Carlisle) 
McFarland, the former Iwrn in Greenfield 
township, September 22, 1819. was a son 
of ^^'alter and Margaret (Courtright) Mc- 
Farland, both of whom were early settlers 
of Greenfield township. Fairfield county, 
casting in their lot with the pioneers here. 
Unto Thomas J- McFarland and his wife 
have been lx>rn two children. The elder 
is Eugene, a resident of Greenfield town- 
ship, who married Miss Julia O'Connor and 
they have three children^ — Margaret A., 
^fary and Frances B. The daughter of 
Mr. and Mrs. McFarland is Mary, the wife 
of Burns Schryver, of Circleville. Ohio. 
Mr. McFarland was called to his final rest 



and his remains were interred in. Forest 
Rose cemetery of Lancaster. He was de- 
voted to his wife and children and also had 
many warm friends throughout the com- 
munity. 

Mr. Pool was a Democrat in his political 
\iews and he and his wife were active, 
zealous and earnest members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church nf Lancaster. 
He started out in life a i)(M)r boy. Imt 
accumidated a handsome competence dur- 
ing the years of an acti\e and honor- 
able business career. He ixxssessed many 
sterling traits of character and wherever 
known was esteemed for his genuine 
worth. lie died June jf). 1H98. and 
was buried in Forest Rose cemetery. His 
wife, who was born in 1820, still survives 
him and is yet an active old lady of eighty- 
two years. The family is one that is 
widely and favorably known in Fairfield 
county, having long been residents within 
its borders. 



FRANKLIN L. FLOWERS, M. D. 



It is an in»])i.rtant public duty to honor his services are kept in remembrance and 

and pcr])etnate as far as possible the mem- the importance of those services acknowl- 

ory of an eminent citizen— one who by his edged. His example in whatever fields his 

blameless and honorable life and distin- work may have been done tluis stands as an 

guished career reflected creiht not only upon object les.son to tho.se who come after him, 

the city in which he made his home Imt upon and though dead he still si)eaks. Long after 

the state. Through such memorials as this all recollection of his personaliix shall have 

at hand an individual and the character of failed friin the minds of men the less perish- 




DR. F. L. FLOWERS 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



175 



able record may tell the stor}- of his life and 
commend his example for imitation. No 
man was ever more respected' in the com- 
munity in' which he lived or ever more fully 
enjoyed the confidence of the pei>i>le thani 
Franklin L. Flowers. In his lifetime the 
people uf this state rejoiced in his advance- 
ment and in the honors to which he attained, 
and since his death they have cherished his 
maiKiry. He was one of the most success- 
ful pioneer physicians of Fairfield county, 
having- gained a high and prominent posi- 
tion in a profession wherein wealth and in- 
fluence availeth little or naught, the meas- 
tn-e of success depending upon the men- 
tahty. ability — lx)th natural and acquired — 
and the broad culture and ready sympathy 
of the individual. 

Franklin Lambert Flowers was born 
upon a farm in Harrison county, Virginia, 
March 17, 181 1, and died in Lancaster, 
Ohio', on the 21st tif Noi\-ember. 1890. 
When C|uite young he accompanied his par- 
ents on their removal to Kentucky and after 
gaining a meagre education gained in a 
single term's attendance at the district 
school he finally studied medicine. He had, 
hb\\-ever. in the meantime, broadened his 
knowledge through reading, experience and 
observation. He became a student in the 
office and imder the direction of Dr. George 
McC'oiik. of Xew LisI>on, Columbiana 
county. Ohio. He attended one .session of 
lectures in the Ohio Medical College at Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, during the year 1834-5, and 
afterward began practice in Brownsville, 
and at different times continued his pro- 
fessii;nal work ;it Rehnbcsth and New Lex- 



ington. The year 1874 witnessed his ar- 
rival in Lancaster. Having pract ced in the 
regular school of medicine for twenty-two 
A'ears be had become a convert of home- 
opathy, and i)racticed according tO' the ten- 
ets of the school until his demise. He at- 
tentled a course of lectures at the Western 
Homeopathic Medical College, from, which 
he received the degree of Medical Doctor in 
i8G_|. During his residence iru Lancaster he 
had a \'ery lucrati\e practice and his office 
was for many years the headcjuarters for 
medical students and yoimg physicians, who 
were always benefited by their association 
witli the older member of the profession, 
recei\ing from him knowledge and advice 
that proved of great advantage tO' them in 
their practice. He was always the friend of 
the young physician and never hesitated to 
give to him out of the rich stores of his 
long experience and wisdom. Dr. Flowers 
was a constant student, and being a quick 
observer, he profited largely in the great 
school of experience. He had, too, a re- 
tentive mind, his memory partaking of the 
nature of the wonderful. He was quick to 
accept and recognize the utility of any idea 
advanced b}- the profession and to adapt it 
in his own professional work. He long 
held member.ship with the Ohio State Medi- 
cal Society and thus became widely known 
throughout the state; but the Doctor diti 
not confine his reading, studv and in\-csti- 
gation alone to the subjects bordering upon 
medical ]ir;ictice. lie continued througliout 
his life a broad reader and became one of 
the best infoniieil men in this portion of the 
state. The books that were bis constant 



I70 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



companions duriiig liis leisure moments 
were Seneca's Morals, Pollock's Course of 
Time and Giblx>ns' Rome. 

The DfKtor was four times married, but 
his only surviving child is Mrs. Belle Graves, 
of Columbus, Ohio. His son. J- R- 
Flowers, who was a residait of the capital 
city, died a short time prior to the death of 
his father. There are now living eight 
grandchildren, ele\-en great-grandchildreiT 
and one sister, Mrs. E. A. Clayton, of New 
Salem, Ohio, who has reached the advanced 
age of eighty-seven years. 

Politically the D(x;tor was a stanch 
Democrat. In early life he took an active 
interest in politics, but during the last 
twenty-five years of his earthly existence his 
attentioii was devoted in an undivided man- 
ner to his profession. His practice contiur 
uallv grew in volume and importance and 
he was long recognized as one of the most 
capable members of the profession in this 



portion of Ohio. He was an entertaining 
conversationalist and carried into the sick 
nxmi not only the remedial restoratives that 
were administered but the sunshine of his 
own presence, which was also a helpful ele- 
ment in effecting cures. He was always 
]i<i])eful and his own hoi)e often inspired his 
patients. As a man and citizen he was 
highly resi)ected. His kind heart was 
always Ideating in accord with the unfortu- 
nate. He was indeed a faithful and loyal 
friend who could be counted on in times of 
need. To know Dr. Flowers was to esteem 
and honor him. His friendship was much' 
prized and it could be won by an honest, 
upright life. When he passed away Lan- 
caster lost one of its best physicians, one of 
its truest and noblest citizens and a man 
whose integrity of purpose and honesty of 
dealing were l)eyond question. His mem- 
ory is still enshrined in the hearts of many 
who knew him. 



HENRY A. MARTENS. 



The German element in our national 
commonwealth has l>een a vcr\' im]>ortant 
one. tlie sons of tlic fatherland coming to 
tJK- new world having readily adapted 
themselves to the different conditions, cus- 
toms and habits of our people, and their 
enterprise, jierseverance and reliability have 
made them \alucd citizens, who have con- 
tributed to the pn gress and advancement of 



the land. A well known representati\e of 
this class is Henry A. Martens, recently 
clo'sely connected with the industrial :nid 
comimercial interests of Lancaster, but is 
now living in honored retirement from labor, 
h'is earnest and persistent efforts in former 
years having brought to him a handsome 
competence. He is what the world calls 
a sclf-m;iilc man, and bis strength of char- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



177 



acter. liis unHagging i>erseverance. relia- 
bility and activity have commanded for him 
the admiration and respect of all with whom 
business or social relations have brought 
him in contact. 

Mr. Martens was born in. the kingdom 
of Hanover, Germany, March 7, 1825. He 
as reared and educated in his native county, 
pursuing his studies between the age of six 
and fourteen years in accordance with the 
laws of his nati\-e land. After putting aside 
his text books he entered upon his business 
career as an apprentice to the carpenter's 
trade, serving faithfully for four years. He 
then traveled for a time as a journeyman, 
working at his trade in different important 
cities on the continent, but at length he de- 
termined to try his fortune in the new world, 
believing better opportunities for advance- 
ment in business were here ofifered. In: 1845 
he sailed for tiie port of Xew York. Init 
landed at Baltimore after a hazardous voy- 
age of nine weeks. At once he continued 
his journey by land until he had arrived in 
Fairfield county, Ohio, where he resided 
with his uncle, Frederick Martens, and 
there he was employed until his patriotic 
spirit prompted his enlistment as a defender 
of his adopted land in the war with JNIexico. 
He became a member of the Fourtli Ohio 
Regiment under command of Colonel 
Charles BrufY and took part in a niunber of 
engagements. He was then discharged at 
the close of hostilities and returned ti: Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, whence lie made his \va\- t(j 
Fairfield county. 

Mr. Martens resumed work at the car- 
penter's trade and eventually became what 
was known as a "boss carjienter" or master 



workman. His lirst independent venture 
was in the line of merchandising. He pur- 
cha.sed an interest in a hardware store m 
connection with T. J. Hansen, the firm be- 
coming T. J. Hansen & Company, a style- 
that was naaintained for twelve years, on the 
expiration of which period iNItr. Martens 
purchased Mr. Hansen's interest and the 
firm of H. A. Martens & Sons was nrganized. 
Practical, enterprising business men, the 
new firm was soon in the enjoyment nf a 
large and constant! v increasing Inisiness. 
In their store, located on Main street, they 
carried an extensive line of shelf and heavy 
hardware and farm machinei'y and buggies, 
and their enterprise, their honorable deal- 
higs an<l earnest desire to please secured 
to them a profitable trade. The busir.e.ss of 
Martens & Sons was long regarded as one 
of the leading mercantile concerns of the 
city, being successfully conducted b\- our 
subject and his sons until January. 190 1, 
when the father retired from the active man- 
agement, leaving the vounger meinl:ers o'f 
the firm to control and extend tlie'r busi- 
ness interests. Since that time our subject 
has de\-oted his attentinn merely to super- 
intending his invested interests and tn the 
enjoyments of life, which are afforded by 
his leisure, the companionship of friends, 
and the pleasures of home. A man uif re- 
sourceful abilit\-, he has not confined his ef- 
forts alone to one line. He was financially 
interested in and for several years was the 
l)resident oi the Hocking Vlallev' National 
Bank and for an extended peridd ser\ed as 
one rif its directors. 

Of his sons, McClellan and Albert, in 
TtjOT, erected what is known as the IMar- 



1178 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tens block, a fine snbstantial three-story 
brick structure, fronting the pubHc square 
and extending from Main street to the al- 
ley. It is forty-seven by one hundred and 
■eightv feet and is a most modern and well 
equip])ed lilock. The first floor is used for 
stores and the second and third for offices. 
It is heated throughout by steam and lighted 
by gas and electricity, and the elevator is 
run by water power. This .splendid build- 
ing is not only a credit to the city, but is 
a monument to the enterprise and progress- 
ive spirit of Mr. Martens and his three 
sons. 

Mr. Martens was united in marriage to 
Miss Mary Shoemiaker, of Fairfield coun- 
ty, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel Shoemaker. 
a nati\e of Pennsylvania, who became an 
early settler and highly respected citizen of 
Fairfiehl county, lie married Miss Martha 
Bi.xby. also a native (►f the Key.stone state. 
■and among their children was Mrs. Martens. 
Unto our subject and his wife have been 
born si.K children : William L.. wlio follows 
agricultural ])ursuits; ,\ll)crt II.. McC'Iellan 
•an<d (."harles I)., who are associatdl in busi- 
ness as hardware merchants and occupy a 
"leading position in commercial circles in 
Lancaster; Sarah, the wife of George Or- 
nian, a member nf the brm of Orman limlh- 
ers. ]n"ominent lumber dealers of Lancaster: 
and Ella, the wife of Charles D. Webb, who 
is now residing in Decatur, Illinois. The 
•mother died in i8<S7. leaving many warm 
friends to mnurn her loss." She was fle\'ot- 
ed to her t"amily and was an acceptable and 
consistent meml>er of St. Peter's Lutheran 
church. Mr. Martens has since married' 
Mrs. Christina Nester, a daughter of 



Charles and Elizabeth Baumann. In aildi- 
tion to his pleasant home and other prop- 
erty interests in Lancaster, Mr. Martens 
owns a \aluable and richly cultivated farm 
of two hundred and seven acres in I'air- 
field county, and the rental therefrom adds 
materially to his income. 

To the Democratic party Mr. Martens 
gives his political support. l>elieving finnly 
in its ])rinciples. and his fellow townsmen, 
recognizing his worth and ability, have fre- 
quently called him to public ot+ice. For 
twelve \ears he served as justice of the 
])eacc. his imjiartial rulings and fidelity to 
duly winning him high commendation. He 
was also clerk and treasurer of Madison 
township, having been ap])ointed to the lat- 
ter position in 1870. In 1875 he was elect- 
ed treasurer of Fairfield county for a tenn 
of two vears and filled the office so accept- 
ably that he was re-elected in 1877, his in- 
cumbency covering a period of foiu' years, 
at the expiration of which time he retired 
from office as he had entered it. with the 
conridence and go<i(l will ot' the public. His 
political career, like his pri\ate life, is above 
reproach. Possessing a philanthroi)ic and 
benevolent spirit, many have reason to 
gratefully remember Henry Martens for 
timely assistance rendered in their hoiu" of 
need. He was instrumental in establishing 
the Fairfield County Children's Home, 
which was organized in 1882. He became 
one of its trustees and \\as also president 
of the board, giving his sen-ices gratuitous- 
ly for the Ijenefit of the institution, which is 
one of the most creditable in tlie county, its 
lieneficent purpose making it worthy the 
sui)port and co-operation of all those whose 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1/9 



humanitarian spirit recognizes tlie brother- 
hood of mankind. The most envious C(iuld 
not grudge Mr. Martens his success, so 
libnoral)lv has it lieen wcm and so worthiK' 
used. He came to this countr\- in liniited 
financial circunastances, but embracing every 
opportunity for business advancement he 
has worlved his way steadily upward, his 



])erse\erance, diligence and enterprise en- 
abling- him to steadily advance toward the- 
g"oal of prosperity. He sustains an unas- 
sailable reputation in business circles and 
no'W in the evening" of life he commands the 
respect, good -will, confidence and appro- 
bation of his fellow townsmen to an unusual 
degree. 



JOSEPH CHRISTY. 



In the front rank of the columns which 
have advanced the civilization of Ohio, Mr. 
Christy has led the way to the substantial 
development, progress and upl)uilding of 
Fairfield county, being particularly active 
iu; promoting its growth, especially along 
agricultural lines. His memory goes back 
to the time when this entire district 
was but sparsely settled, when the forests 
stood in their primeval strength, little of 
the land having been reclaimed for the pur- 
pose of civilization. It was just as it came 
from the hand of nature, and awaited the 
awakening' touch of the plow and cultivator 
to become a productive tract. 

Seventy-five years ago Joseph Christy 
first opened his eyes to the lig'ht of day, his 
birthplace being Amanda township, Fair- 
field county. His paternal grandfather, 
Henry Christy, was born in Pennsylvania, 
and about 1790 came to Ohio, locating in this 
county, where he spent his remaining days. 
He entered a large tract of government land 



lying in Amanda and Clear .Lake townships,., 
and at once began to clear it and make it 
ready for the plow. In the midst of the for- 
est he built a log cabin and dexeloped a 
good home for his family, his residence be- 
ing located in the edge of Clear Creek 
towmship. There he lived until his death, 
which (.:ccurred in the h(:)nie of his son H'en- 
r\', the father of our subiect. 1 he grand- 
father was a prosperous and ]n:ogressive 
man, who aided in laying deep and broad 
the foundation for the present (le\-elopment 
and advanced coindition of this portion of 
Ohio. His well directed efforts in business 
resulted in bringing to him very creditable- 
and gratifying success. He accumulated a 
large amount of property, which he evetit- 
ually dix'ided among his children. 

Among his sons was Henry Christy, the 
father of Joseph, our subject. He was bom- 
in Maryland, near the site of Hagerstown, 
and about 1800 Avas brought to Ohio by hi.s 
parents. He Avas a 'resident of Fairfield' 



«8o THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 

county, residing iipfin the land which his fa- Englisli learning, while under his father's 
ther had purchased. After arriving at years directiun he became familiar with farm work 
of maturity he devoted his attention to gen- in its various departments. He remained 
eral farming and stock raising, and found on the old hnmestead until after his mar- 
in that branch of business activity a source riage. which important event in his life oc- 
of income, which compen.sated him well and curred in 1850. The wife of his choice 
enabled him to provide a comfortable com- was iMiss Hannah Steward, a daughter of 
petence for his wife and children. He owned Charles Steward, a prominent farmer of 
and cultivated two hundred acres of land, Aman^la townshij), who died a'bout fifteen 
which was given him by his father, and his years ago: Mr. Christy brought his bride 
place was e\er noted for its neat and thrifty to the old home and there carried on farm- 
appearance and for the splendid fields of ing for some time, after which he pur- 
grain, giving promise of abundant harvests, chased a tract of land in Clear Creek town- 
His fellow townsmen recognized his worth ship, lielonging to the estate of his brother, 
and ability. fre(|uently calling hinr to pub- For a few years he resided on that place 
lie office, and annjng other positions which and then lnnght his present farm in .\man- 
he filled, he served as justice of the peace, da t<iwnship, making his home thereon con- 
He voted with the democracy, strongly en- tinuously since 1S51S. Tt consists of one 
dorsing its principles. His able co-opera- hundred acres of rich land, all of which is 
tion was ever given to movements for the under cultivation, and well tilled fields re- 
general good and he was accounted one of turn to him golden harvests. .X'carlv all 
the \alued and rcpresentatixe men of Fair- of the impnuements upon the place are the 
field county. He manifested his loyalty to work of his hands. He has a large and 
his country by enlisting in the war of 1812, substantial frame dwelling, good barns ami 
serving until the close of hostilities. Both other outbuildings for the shelter of grain 
he and his wife l;cl<Higed to the Lutheran and stock. Ileuses the latest imi)ro\(.(l ma- 
church. His death occurred in 18,^3, when chinery in culti\ating the lields and I'acili- 
Joseph Christy was eight years of age, while fating the farm wurlc. and intelligence, in- 
the mother of our svtbject, who bore the dustry and thrift characterize all dqjart- 
maiden name of Mary Ann Firestone, died ment-^ of this country home. Mr. Christy 
on the olil home place in 786<) at the ripe has gi\en his time and atteiUii n tiiroughout 
old age of seventy years. Twelve children the years of his manhiM:d as well as iiis 
had l>een lK)rn of that union. youth to general farming and stock raising, 
Joseph Christy, the ninth in order of and creditable success crowns his efforts, 
birth, was the youngest of six sons and is The home of Mr. and Mrs. Christy has 
the only one now li\ing. At the usual age been blessed with twehe children, of whom 
he entered the ])ublic schools of his district, two died in infanc\. V^n of the number 
therein ntastering the common branches of are still living, as follows: Nancv .\n'n is 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



i8i 



tlie wife 1)1 .Vnios Aldeiulerter. a farmer of 
Amanda tuwnsliip, and tlieir children are 
Laura, Dora, Arthur and Joseph. Charles 
H., a resident fanner of Amanda township, 
married Martlia (Jrifhth, a daughter of 
James Griffith, by whom he has nine chil- 
dren : Milton, Kirby, Bert, Orpha, Alpha, 
Millard and Willarcl, twins, John and Mary. 
Lewis F., who carries on agricultural pur- 
suits in Amanda township, married Ma- 
linda Boucher, and they have three children, 
Florence, Thomas and Ruth. Jemima is the 
wife of Flli Aldenderfer, who carries on ag- 
ricultural pursuits in Clear Creek township, 
and they have three children — Edward, 
Nora and Clark. Alice is the wife of Frank 
Wilson, a resident farmer of .Xmanda town- 
ship, and their children, are Stella, \Villiam, 
Bertha, Marie, Ray and Ada. Emma is the 
wife of John Myers, a tile manufacturer of 
Amanda township, and their children are 
Effie anrl Helen. James, a railroad engineer 
of Kansas City, is married and has three 
children, Harold, Hnward and an infant 
daughter. Sherman, a residait farmer of 
Annanda township, married Miss Ellen 
Hiiiifman. Minnie is the wife of Albert 



Mariiin, who resides ui)i;n her father's farm, 
and they have one daughter, Clara. Lucy 
is the wife of Charles Barr, an agriculturist 
of Amanda towns hi]), by whom she has three 
children — SehTia. J'llmer and Sherman. 

Politicalh' Mr. Christy is a Democrat 
and while he 1)elie\'es that the princii)'les of 
that party \\\\\ Ijest ser\'e the public w-elfare, 
he has never sought or desired office. He 
has witnessed many changes and improve- 
ments in Fairfield cunnt}-. taking an inter- 
est in all that has worked toward the same, 
and bearing his ])art in de\'eloping what is 
now one of the richest farming districts of 
the state. Few men are more widely or 
more prominently known in the enterpris- 
ing county of Fairfield thani Joseph Christy. 
He has been an important factor in agri- 
cultural circles and his popularit}' is well de- 
served, a's in him are embraced the charac- 
teristics of an unb-ending integrity, an in- 
dustry that never flags, and a remarkalile 
degree of energy. He takes great pleasure 
in the society of his family and friends, is 
ahvavs courteous, kindly and affable, and 
those who know him personall}* ha\'e for 
him a warm regard. 



NEWTON PETERS. 



For more than se\'enty years Newton he is yet an active factor ini agricultural cir- 
Peters has traveled life's journey in Fair- cles, being a prominent farmer of Green- 
field county, and although he has passed the field township, his hnine lieing located on 
psalmist's span of three score years and ten, section 35. He was born in Amanda town- 



l82 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ship, Fairfield county, on the iijtli uf Sep- 
temlier, 1829. His i)aternal grandfather, 
Samuel Peters, was (jne of three lirothers 
who catiie to America from Russia. Later 
no news of the location of one of the 
brothers could be received; one died in 
Baltimore, while the grandfather of our 
subject spent his last days in Amanda 
township, where he passed away in 1829. 
He was one of the honored pioneer set- 
tlers of Fairfield county and took an 
active interest in the early development 
and progress of this portion of the state. 
In his family were thirteen children and 
two of the number were married and had 
thirteen children each. 

Robinson J. Peters, the father of our 
subject, was born in Maryland in 1797, and 
in 18 1 2 came to Ohio with his parents, first 
locating in Richlaml township, where he 
was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier 
life. The work of progress and devclo])- 
ment had scarcely been begun at that time 
and many hardships and trials had to be en- 
dured by the early settlers, who sought to 
establish hnmes in the midst i>f the forests. 
Robinson J. Peters was united in mrnriage 
in Amanda township in 1823 to Miss I'^liza- 
beth Gallagher, wlio was born in that town- 
ship in 1802, her parents having removed 
from Pennsylvania to this comity at a pio- 
neer ei)och in its history. The Gallagher 
family w^s of Irish lineage and in colonial 
days was established in America. Unto the 
])arents of our subject were born seven chil- 
ihen, ti\e of whom reached years of ma- 
turity, namely: Zebuloii, a resident of 
Hocking township; Marj', the widow of 
Thoimas C(x:hran ; Sarah Jane, the widow of 



Thomas !). Whiley ; and Alvira, who died 
after attaining womanhood. Two of the 
children died in infancy. 

Xewton Peters was the third child and 
second son of the family and when he was 
alxjut eleven vears of age his parents re- 
nuned to Lancaster. He acquired his edu- 
cation in the district schools and spent his 
youth in the usual manner of lx)ys of that 
period, his time l)eing devoted to the duties 
of the school rcxjm, the pleasures of the 
]ilaygri:und and to various business cares. 
On tlie 12th of November, 1837, Xew- 
ton Peters was united in marriage to Lydia 
i-^versole, a native of Berne township. Fair- 
field county, born August i, 1840. her par- 
ents being David and Elizabeth (Miller) 
Eversole, who were early settlers of this 
county, coming to Ohio from Virginia, in 
whiich state they were lx)rn, reared and 
married. In their family were fi\'e sons and 
il\e daughters, Mrs. Peters being the sixth 
child and third daughter. She was reared 
in her native township and there remained 
until she gave her hand in marriage to 
Newton Peters. Tliey began their domes- 
tic life upon a farm, which is still their 
home. an<I seven children came to bless their 
union : Preston, w ho married Catherine 
Groom and resides in Pickaway county, 
Ohio; Charles, who married Nannie Trim- 
ble and is living in Greenfield township; 
Elizabeth P., the wife of James Clayp(X>l, of 
Greenfield tcvwnship; Robinson J., who 
wedded Ida V.. Compton an<l lives in the 
same township; Martha P.. the wife of 
Charles A. Stropel, of Lancaster; Gaylord 
Clark, who married Nellie Eda Timbers 
and is living in this county: and Jessie, who- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 183 



is still with her parents. All of the children that he possesses has been acquired through 

were born upon the home farm w here our his own industry, and his diligence and per- 

subject now resides. se\-erance have been leading factors in his 

Mr. I'eters has devoted his entire life successful career. ]\lr. I'eters cast his tirst 

to agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. presidential \-ote for Wiirheld Scott anil 

He Iiuilt his ])resent brick residence in 1868 su])!>orted the Whig party until the organi- 

and has made iuan\- substantial improve- zati(;n of the Republican. He voted for 

ments u|j(rn his land. As his financial re- President Lincoln in i860 and 1864 and 

sources haxe increased he has also added cast his last i)residential vote for the la- 

to his property and is now the owner of mented William ilcKinley. He holds mem- 

twi.i hundred and thirt_\- acres of valuable bership in the JMetho<list Episcopal church 

land on the home tract, while in addition at Lancaster and his life has ever*beenj in 

he has two hundred and thirty acres in Pick- consistent harmony with its teachings and 

away county, a farm of two humlred acres principles. Through almost three-quarters 

in TUoonitield township and one hundred of a centurv he has witnessed the develop- 

antl fifty-six acres in Greenfield township, ment and progress of his county and at all 

adjoining the farm of Joseph \W Wilson, times has borne his part in the work of im- 

while another farm in the same township, iirovement. He takes great interest in what 

wliich he owns, comprises eighty acres, so has been accomplished and has long been 

that his landed possessions altogether ag- regarded as a ^■alued and representati\-e 

gregate nine hundred and sixty acres. All citizen. 



DAVID E. KISSINGER. 

In a review of the life history of many home in (Jhi(j, beconiing earlj' settlers ot 
of tlie leading and enterprising citizens of ,\manda townshij). The father, Richard 
Fairfield county, we note that quite a large Kissinger, was born in Reading in the Key- 
proportion are native sons of this section of stone state, in 1830, and when quite young 
Ohio. Mr. Kissinger was born on a farm accom])anied his parents to Ohio-, the fam- 
in Amanda township, July 6, 1864, and ily settling on a farm in Amanda townslii]). 
comes of an old family of PennsyUania. l^'airfield county. To- his father he ga\-e tlie 
His grandfather, Isaac Kissinger, was born benefit of Iiis services for manv years and 
in the Keystone state and was married there after the death of his ])arents he continued 
to Elizabeth Dindore. Later they sought a to reside on the old homiestead, where he 
10 



i84 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



carried (.'ii general farming and stcxrk-rais- 
ing, his efforts Ijeing so discerningly direct- 
ed along well defnied lines of labor that he 
became a prosijerous farmer of the county. 
He gave to the Democracy his jjolitical sup- 
ix>rt and was identilied with the Evangeli- 
cal church and one of its active workers 
.and elders, lie married Miss Sarah Bell, a 
native of Fairlield county. She was Iwrn in 
Amanda township and was a daughter of 
Samuel Bell, a representative of an old and 
honored family that came from Pennsyl- 
vania to this portion of the state at a very 
day. Mrs. Kissinger was bom in 1842 and 
became the mother of three children, Emma 
J., David E. and Dora B., but the last 
jiamed is now deceased. 

David E. Kissinger was reared upon the 
old home farm, working in the fields from 
the time of early spring planting until the 
harvests were garnered. He then entered 
the district schools, pursuing his studies un- 
til the following spring. Coming to Lan- 



caster he began studying photography un- 
der the flirection of J. H. Tobias, from 
whom lie learned the business, remaining 
witli that gentleman for four years. In 
1S94 he ojjened a gallery of his own, and 
efjuipped his studio with all the latest a[>- 
pliances required in the art. His methods 
are modern, iiis work satisfactorj^ and his 
patronage is constantly increasing. 

Mr. Kissinger has been twice married, 
his present wife ha\ing Ixirne the maiden 
name of Adelia Humphreys. She is a 
daughter of Samuel Humphreys, who was 
born in \'irginia. but became a resident of 
Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Kissinger is a wor- 
thy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, be- 
longing to Amanda Lodge, No. 509, F. & 
-A. M. He has chosen as a life work a vo- 
cation for which he is well suited, and, keep- 
ing in touch with the progress which is be- 
ing continually made in the profession, he 
lias already gained an enviable reputation 
and merited prosperity. 



WILLIAM CRUIT. 



William Cruit, now deceased, was lx)ni that is honorable and riiiln in manhood, 

in Greenfield towixship, near Lancaster, May He was a son of William and Hannah 

8, 1832, and died in the sanie locality De- (McKm) Cruit. Ili> i)arents were both na- 

cember 2, 1894. His life span therefirre tives of England and there spent the days 

covered sixtv-two years and it was a period of their childhood and youth, coming to the 

in which he accompli-shed much iiD a busi- United States soon after their marriage, 

ness way and at the same tinie manifested They located in Washington, Ohio, and in 

a loyalty in citizenship and a tidelity to all that locality the father engaged in farming 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



185 



for some time. l)iit .subsecjuently came to 
Fairfield county, taking up his abode in 
Greenfield township, where both lie and liis 
wife spent tlie resi(hie of their da_\s and (Hed 
at an achanced age. b<.itli lieing alxnit se\- 
enty when called to the home beyontl. They 
were faithful and earnest members of the 
^lethodist church and their lives were in 
consistent harmunv with their religinus be- 
lief. In their family were ele\-en children, 
five of whom are yet living. 

\YilIiam Cruit, one of the number, ob^ 
tained his early education in the district 
schools which he attended through the win- 
ter months, while in the summer season he 
assisted in the labors of the field and 
meadow, working upon his father's farm in 
Greenfield township. During the Civil war 
he responded to his country's call for aid. 
and enlisted for ten days' serxdce. The 
occupation to which he was reared he made 
his life work and after his marriage fol- 
lowed that pursuit in order to provide for 
his family. Tt was on the 27th of INIarch. 
1855. that he was joined in wedlock to Miss 
Mary Kiger. a daughter of John anid Eliza- 
beth ( Bolenbaugh) Kiger. The father was 
a native of \'irginia and a som of Henry and 
I'dllv Kiger. who were married in 1802. 
They became the parents of six childreiii, 
fi lur sons and two daughters. The mother, 
Mrs. Polly Kiger, reached the extreme old 
age of one hundred and five years and 
passed away on Christmas day of 1S84. 
while Mr. Kiger died in 1882. aged one 
hundred years. Their son, John Kiger. was 
born March 19, 181 1, and died at the age 
of sc\enty-nine years, six mrvnths and 
twenty-two days. It was on the i6th of 



January, 1834. that he married Elizabeth 
Bolenbaugh, who pro\ed to him a faithful 
companion and helpmate along the journey 
of life. He was long a resident of Fairfield 
C( unity, settling in Amanda township, where 
lie was at the time of his removal tO' this 
]dace. There he carried on agricultural 
])ursuits until his death, which occurred 
abo'Ut ele\-en years ago. Hie was a very 
])rominent man. not only in a business way 
but in political affairs, his- opinions carrying 
weight on account of their practical and 
convincing cpialities. His wife departed 
this life about a year previous to the death 
of her husband. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cruit 
was blessed with eight children, and five of 
that number are yet living. Edith died at 
the age of fifteen months. Alice is the wife 
of Israel Christ, a farmer and fruit grower 
of Bloom township, and they have four chil- 
dren : Ersie, Annie, Kirby and William. 
Elizabeth is the wife of All>ert Heins, who 
is engaged in blacksmithing' in Royalton, 
Fairfield county, and thelir children were 
Mamie and Ruth, at home, and Glenn; now 
deceased. John is a resident farmer of 
Greenfield township, wdio married Pauline 
Kemp, and their children are Hazel, Ure 
Agnes, Merrill and Frances. Anna is the 
wife of Dr. Monhank. of Royalton, and 
they have two children'. Mary and Chester. 
Hetta is the wife of Jesse Hughes, a son of 
John H'ughes, a prominent farmer of 
Amanda townshi]). W. J. was born upon 
the farm where they are now living, and he 
married Sarah Lezenbe. Jesse Hughes re- 
sides upon the farm owned by our subject, 
and has two children, Freemaru Cruit and 



1 86 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Charline. Clara died at tlie age (if four 
years an<l twenty-seven days. Ilannaii died 
at the age of four years and twenty-eight 
days. All of the chiklren born unto ^Ir. 
anil Mrs. Cruit were natives of Fairfield 
county. 

Mr. Cruit was a luost earnest and con- 
sistent Christian man. and during the 
greater part of his life was a devoted worker 
and advocate of the Methodist church. At 
all times he was true to manly principles, 
was honorable in business dealing's and 
straigiitforwai-d in all his relations with 
friend or stranger. He owned and operated 
one hundred and thirty-si.x acres of valualile 
land and throughout his active life carried 
on agricultural ])ursuits. Most of the im- 



provements up<n the ])lace stand as monii- 
nients to his thrift and enter]>rise. lie pro- 
vided liberally for his family in this way 
aud was also a g'enerous contributor to the 
church with which he was identified. He 
took an actixe interest in the rebuilding of 
^b>unt Zion clnu'ch. and (jf all things tend- 
ing to promote the cause of Christianity. 
His widow still survives him and yet resides 
upon the old home farm, surrounded by all 
the ciimforts of life as a result of her hus- 
band's industry an<l care for her. Mr. Cruit 
also left to his family that good name which 
is rather to be chosen than great riches, and 
thougii he has passed away his influence 
remains as a blessed benediction to all who 
knew him. 



GEORGE W. KIGER. 



George \V. Kiger is the owner of a \al- 
uablc farm of four hundred and fifty acres 
in .Vmanda tow-nship and is accounted one 
of the highly respected citizens of Fairfield 
county. He Avas bf>rn in A'irginia on the 
27th of Octol>er, 1818, and with his parents 
came to Ohio when six years of age. so that 
almost his entire life has l)een passed in this 
state. He is a son of Henry and Polly 
(Waltuc) Kiger. His paternal grandfather. 
George Kiger, was one of the heroes of the 
Revolutionary war wlio, when the colonies 
no longer able to patiently endure the op- 
pression of the mother country attempted 



to throw af¥ all allegiance to the British 
crown, joined the colonial forces ami fought 
for national liberty. After the inde])endence 
<U' the Union was w<in he came to Ohio and 
resided in Fairfield county until he liad at- 
tained the very advancetl age of one hun- 
dred and ten years, when he was called to 
his final rest. 

The father of our subject was a native 
'if X'irginia and in middle life came to Ohio, 
locating at once in Amanda township. Fair- 
field county, where he entered mf:re than 
fi'ur hnn(!re<l acres of land which was wild 
and nnini])rn\cd. but he at once began to 



I 




1 


,.^^^;,,^, \ r 


^^1 ^r2> 





GEORGE W. KIGER 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



189 



improve it and put it under cultivatinu and 
succeeded in making a comfortable home 
for his lamii}-. He engaged in farming in 
Amanda township until his death and was 
a very industrious and progressi\'e man, 
whose well directed labors won him pros- 
peritw H'e accumulated much property ami 
was therefi re accnunted one of the sub- 
stantial as well as one of the most highly 
esteemed citizens of his community. He, 
too, manifested his loyalty to his native land 
in times of war, becoming a soldier in the 
Avar of 1812. The family is certainly noted 
for longevity, for Henr\- Kiger had passed 
the one hundred and third milestone on life's 
journey at the time of his death, and his 
wife \\as in her one hundred and se\'enth 
year at the time she was called to the home 
beyond. She was a native of Germany, and 
to her husband she proved a \-ery able help- 
mate and assistant. Both lield membershiiJ 
in the ^[ethodist church, and ]\Ir. Kiger was 
a Denincrat in, his political views. In their 
family were six children, of wdiom George 
\\ . was the youngest. The only other sur- 
\i\ing member of the familv is Lewis, who 
is a retired farmer of Anianda township. 
George ^\ . Iviger, of this review, ob- 
tained his early education in the district 
schools near his home and remained under 
the parental roof until he was thirty years 
of age, when he started out upnii! an inde- 
pendent Inisiness career. He purchased a 
farm near Lancaster, on the edge of Amanda 
township, and there carried on agricultural 
pursuits for a number of years. .\t length 
he sold his pruperty and ])urchased his pres- 
ent farm, then comprising one hundred and 



thirty-eight acres, but since that time he has 
added to the property until within the 
bnundaries of his farm are now comprised 
more than four hundreil and fifty acres. He 
lias lived at his present home for the past 
nineteen years and nearly all of the improve- 
ments upon the place are the work c;f his 
hands and stand as monuments to his in- 
dustr\-, and therefore everything about the 
place is kept in splendid condition. The 
buildings and fences are well repaired and 
the fields are highl}- culti\-ated. 

At the time he left the old homestead 
]\tr. Kiger was married to Miss Anville 
Shawen, a native of Fairfield county and a 
daughter of Josiah Shawen, one of the early 
settleis of this county. He was a carpenter 
by trade and Ijecame a prosperous man. 
Airs. Kiger died about forty years ago at 
the Turkey Run farm, where they were then 
living. She was the mother of three chil- 
dren, two of whom survi\-e her, Ir\in: hav- 
ing died at the age of nine years. Henry is 
a resident farmer of Amanda township, 
where he operates one hundred acres of 
land. He married Elizal)eth Dunn. Rufus, 
the second son, resides in Van ^^'ert county, 
Ohio-, where he is engaged in, the cultiwation 
of two hundred acres of land. He married 
Ephema Elder, and they have fi\e chil- 
dren, namely: Merty, Carrie, (ieorge, 
Laura and Omer. For his second wife Mr. 
Kiger chose Garilla Gallaglicr, a nati\e of 
this count}-, and they became the parents of 
three sons and one daughter, all of whom 
are yet living. John resides at Villagrove, 
Colorado, w here he is engaged in practicing 
medicine, lie married lunma .Veinbardt 



I go 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and they have one son, George M. George 
W., the second of the family, resides in 
Oregon, where he is engaged in the broker- 
age business. He married May Delia Stur- 
geon. Charles was a farmer of Amanda 
township and we<lded Letta Barr, by whom 
he had tliree children, Ethel, Fay and Des- 
sil, but Fay is now deceased. Alice is the 
wife of William Kiger, a practicing dentist 
of Columbus. Ohio, and they have one child, 
Dorothy Ruth. 

Mr. Kiger, whose name begins this re- 
view, gives his political supjwrt to the Re- 
publican party and is a member of the 
Methodist church. He has witnessed nearly 
the entire de\'el<ipment and jimg-ress of this 



pirtion of the state, liaving been a resident 
of Fairfield county since 1824. There were 
no railroads or pikes when he came and 
nearly the entire county was covered by a 
dense growth of forest. He has witnessed 
its transformation from a wild region to one 
of the richest farming portions of this great 
state and has helped to make the county 
what it is to-day. He has Ijeen very suc- 
cessful in his business afifairs and is very 
generous with his children, giving each a 
good start in life. His life has at all times 
been worthy of commendation and of emu- 
lation and no one more justly deser\-es the 
regard of his fellow man than does George 
W. Kiecr. 



ANDREW A. BRADFORD, M. D. 



The profession of medicine has elicited 
the energies of man\- men <<\ marked ability 
and sterling worth. Many claim that the 
profession ranks first among the callings of 
men, and it is an undisputed fact that it 
.stands :uni>ng the highest, its i)ur])ose being 
to ;illc\i.'Ue suffering and to rest<irc to man 
his mo>t ])rized possession' — health, its fol- 
lowers are usually men of strong mentality, 
keenly analytical, and with broad sympathy 
in addition to a love of scientific research, 
and without these cpialitics a member of the 
profession cannot rise hcNond liie ranks of 
mediocritv. Possessing the rcf|uisite (piali- 
ties of the successful practitioner Dr. Brad- 



ford is now enjoying a liberal patronage in 
Bremen, where he makes his home, and 
throughout the surrounding district. 

The D<Ktor comes of an ancestry honor- 
able and distinguished. He is of Englisli 
lineage and traces the line of de.scent back to 
(iovernor William P)radford, who came to 
the new world with the Plymouth colony 
and settled in Massachusetts. He became 
and long served as go\ernor of the colony. 
Later generntions of the family figured con- 
si>icnously in connection with inip<irtaiU 
events ccjncerning the history of \'irginia 
and Maryland. John Bradford, the great- 
grandfather of onr subject. w;i< bi>rn in the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



191 



Old Dominion and emigrating westward 
settled in the midst of the green woods of 
IMuskingum county, Ohio, becoming one of 
its pioneer settlers. His soni, John Brad- 
ford, Jr., was born in Highland township, 
Muskingum county, and was the grandfa- 
ther of the Doctor. The lattei' was a son oi 
Harvey Bradford, who was born on the old 
home farm ini Muskingumi comity, which 
was later the birthplace of the Doctor. There 
reared to manhood Harvey Bradford car- 
ried on agricultural pursuits throughout his 
entire life. He married Eliza Jane Noble, 
who was born in Ireland and when four 
years of age was brought to America by 
her father, Henry Noble, whoi crossed the 
Atlantic with his family. 

Upon the old home farm Dr. Bradforil 
first opened his eyes to the light of day, Oc- 
tober ro, 1862. and at the usual age he 
entered the districts schools, where he pur- 
sued his lessons, mostly through the winter 
months, for in the summer seasons he as- 
sisted in the work of the fields. Later he 
continued his studies in Bloomfield. Ohio, 
where he remained for se\-eral ^■ears. and 
when he liad completed his literary course 
took up the study of medicine under the di- 
rection of Dr. J. Morris Lane, of that 



place. He afterward entered the Toledo 
Medical College, of Toledo, Ohio, where he 
was graduated in 1884. He remained in the 
office of his preceptor imtil 1886, and then 
located in Oakland, Fairfield county, Ohio', 
where he remained three years, after which 
he spent two years in Stoutsville. Li 1892 
he removed to Lancaster, where he spent 
two years, and then came tO' Bremen, where 
he soon secured a large and lucrative prac- 
tice. In order to add tO' his proficiency, in 
1892 he pursued a post-graduate course in 
the Chicago Polyclinic College. 

On the 30th of June, 1881, Dr. Brad- 
ford was united in marriage tO' Miss Sarah 
S. Wilson, of Muskingum county, a daugh- 
ter of John and Martha (Sims) \\'ilson. 
This union has been blessed with three chil- 
dren, but Laiu-a E. died in her seventeenth 
year. The surviving children are Ralph 
Emerson and Alda. The Doctor is a mem- 
ber of Stoutsville Lodge, No'. 255, K. P.. 
and in his political affiliations he is a Demo- 
crat. He has served for several years as ai 
member of the school board and for one 
term was mayor of Bremen. He manifests 
a deep and active interest in everything per- 
taining tOi the general welfare and as a citi- 
zen, as well as a physician, takes high rank. 



HENRY W. GEIGER. 



Henry W. Geiger, who devotes his time field coimty, for his birth- occurred in Rush- 

and energies to agricultural pursuits, his ville on the 22d of May, 1848. He comes 

home being on section 3, Pleasant township, of an old Virginian family. Ilis paternal 

is numbered among the native sons of Fair- great-grandfather, Adam Geiger, was a nia- 



192 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tive of W'oDilstock. Virginia, and in 1806 
came west witli his family, hcmg numtered 
among the pioneer settlers of Fairfield 
county. Here he purchased six hundred 
and forty acres of land in Pleasant town- 
ship, and a part of this is now included 
within the corporation limits of Pleasant- 
ville. Throughout his remaining days he 
engaged in the development and improve- 
ment of his land. 

His son, David Geiger. the grandfather 
of our subject, accompanied his parents in 
their remo\'al from the Old Dominion' to 
Fairfield county and resided witli them ui)on 
a farm near Pleasantville until his marriage 
in 1807 to Catherine Winegardner. They 
1)egan their domestic life upon a farm in the 
locality and unto them were born two sons : 
John* who resided upon a farm in Tn<liana 
until his death: and Herbert. A few days 
after the birth of the younger son the 
mother died, and later David Geiger mar- 
ried Elizabeth Howdyshell. They became 
the parents of three children : David. Mary 
and Elizabeth, all of whom are now de- 
ceased. Throughout the years of his busi- 
ness career the grandfather of our subject 
followed agricultural pursuits near Pleas- 
antville and there dicil in 182''). 

Herbert Geiger. the father of our sub- 
ject, was born at Pleasantville on the lOth of 
Serttember, t8io. and when the days of his 
briyboiid and youth had passed he was mar- 
ried on the 8th of .\\m\. 1847. to Sarah 
Lamb. He bad been reared by his grand- 
mother. Mrs. Catherine Winegardner. who 
lived on a farm near Rushville. There he 
continued In make iiis home until he en- 



gaged in business for himself. When 
twenty-fi\e years of age he entered into 
partnershi[) with Mr. Keed in conducting a 
general store in Rushville. After a few 
years Mr. Reed sold his interest to George 
Crawford and the firm became Geiger & 
Crawford. Later the senior partner pur- 
chased the interest of "Sir. Crawford and 
then conducted the Imsiness alone until 
1845. when he sold the store and he and 
his uncle, Henry Winegardner, established 
a tannery in Rushville. Two years later he 
purchased his uncle's interest and was sole 
owner and manager of the enterprise from 
1847 ""til 1856, when, his health having 
become impaired, he closed out the tannery 
business and purchased a farm of two hun- 
dred and sixty-four acres soiith of Rush- 
\ille. He had also inherited one hundred 
and sixty acres of land on section 12. Wal- 
nut township, from his mother. an<l to this 
farm he removed. In 1873 he tix)k up his 
abode at "New Salem. Fairfield county, and 
there practically lived retired save for the 
attention which his property demanded. 
His death occurred in that place in 1892. 
.\s before stated, he married Sarah Lamb, 
who was born December 28. 1821, a daugh- 
ter of William Lamb, a farmer and stock- 
raiser of this ciiiuitv and a repre.sentative of 
one of the earliest families here. Unto Her- 
bert and Sarah Geiger were born two chil- 
dren : Henry W. and Alwilda C. the lat- 
ter the wife of Profes.sor \\'illiam M. 
Wikoll. They reside in New Salem. Ohio. 
In the usual manner of farm lads of the 
l)erio<l Henry W. Geiger was reared and 
educated, and when he had attained toman's 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



193 



estate he cliose as a companion and helpmate 
for the journe}- of life Miss Cleniantine E. 
Berry, the wedding taking place October 2. 
1870. Her father, Edward Beriy. was a 
farmer of this conntv, as was her grand- 
father, who also bore the name of Edward 
Berry and was among the early settlers of 
the county, coming from [Maryland to Ohio 
in 1805. A large number of his descendants 
are li\ing in various parts of the cotuity and 



are mostly well-to-do farmers and good citi- 
zens. The marriage of our subject and his 
wife has been blessed with three children, 
who are yet living: Emmitt C, who wed- 
ded ]\Iay Fiugh and is a farmer of Pleasant 
township: Edward H.. who married Ger- 
trude Friend and resides in Walnut town- 
ship; Alwilda H., who is a memljer of her 
parents' household and is pursuing her edu- 
cation. 



HENRY CONRAD. 



Henry Conrad, one of the highly re- 
sjiected citizens of Fairfield county, was 
born ui Clear Creek township on the loth of 
Jidy, 1 841. his parents l>eing Henry and 
Sarah (Walters) Conrad. At the usual age 
he entered the public schools and through 
the i)triods of vacati<;n assisted in work 
on the home farm, where he remained 
until he was twent\-(jne \'ears of age. Upon 
the breaking out of the Ci\'il war he enlisted 
in Company I, Ninetieth Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantr}", ji'ining the anny on the 13th of Au- 
gust. i8fi2. He was wounded at the battle 
of StfMie River on the 31st of De(;ember of 
the same year, and was sent to the hospital 
at Xasliville and afterward to Cincinnati 
and thence to Camp Chase, Ohio, where, on 
account of his injury, he was honorably dis- 
charged <in the 4th of April, 1863. He then 
returned to his home and farm, but when he 
had recovered his health he could not con- 



tent himself to remain in Ohio while his 
country was endangered, and re-enlisted as 
a member of the One Hundred and Fifty- 
ninth Regiment of National Guards, with 
which he went to the front, serving for one 
hundred, days. He was then, mustered out 
in August, 1864, at Zanesville, Ohio, having 
spent the one hundred days' service at Balti- 
more. During this time he held the rank of 
second sergeant in his comjiany. 

Taking up his abofle in Fairfield county. 
Mr. Conrad resumed farming. In 1870 he 
])in-chased his present place in Clear Creek 
township, comprising eighty-five acres of 
rich land, on which he erected a large and 
attractive frame residence and has made 
many excellent improvements, having a well 
kejit fann supplied with' all modern accessor- 
ies and cf>ni\'eniences. In ap]>earance it is 
neat and thrifty, and everything aliout the 
place indicates the careful super\-ision of the 



194 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



progressive and practical owner. Tlie home 
is ])resi(ie(l o\er by a most estimable lady, 
who in her maidenhood was Miss Sophia 
Peters, daughter of George Peters, one of 
the early settlers of Fairfield county, who 
owned the farm upon which Mr. arid Mrs. 
Conrad are now living. He died forty years 
ago. The marriage of our suliject and his 
wife was celebrated in November, 1864, and 
has been blessed with three children, all of 
Avhom are yet living. Adelle is the wife of 
\\'. W. Doner, by whom she has three chil- 
dren : Harry \\'., Arthur H. and Ralph C. 
IMinnie is the wife of V. V. Cuckler, of Lan- 
caster, Ohio, an employe in a shoe factory 
there. George S. is employed in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and married Miss Stella Theiring, by 
whom he has one child, Mildred. All of the 
children were horn upon the nld liume place 
in Clear Creek township, and attended the 
district schools, while George was a student 
in the college of Delaware, Ohio, and like- 
wise ]>ursued a conimercial course in differ- 
ent business colleges. 

Mr. CiMirad is now serving as school 



director, which position he has filled for 
three years. He has been a judge of elec- 
tions for the past six years and in politics 
is a stanch Republican, but while he has held 
some ofifices, he has never been a p<')litician 
in the sense of office seeking, preferring to 
give his undivided attention to his business 
affaiirs. .Sociall_\- he was connected with the 
Grand Army post at Amanda during its ex- 
istence. For forty-two years he has been a 
memljer of the Methodist church, taking a 
most helpful part and being very much in- 
terested in its work. He has served as trus- 
tee, steward and class-leader, filling all of 
those offices at the present time, together 
witli that of Sunday-school superintendent. 
He puts forth every effort in his power to 
advance the cause of Christianity and his 
labors have not l>een without effect. So 
honorable and upright is his life that he 
commands in a high degree the respect and 
confidence of all with whom he has been as- 
sociated, and well ddcs he deserve mention 
in this \i)lunie. dexoted as it is to the lives 
of representative citizens. 



FRED L. MAUGER. 



In IJeniDcralic circles Fred L. Mauger in Ilerks cnunly. Pennsylvania, on the 4th 

is widelv known and on the roster of public of February, 1S40. In the year 1S54 his 

f)filicials nf l-'airfield county appears his father and niothiT, with their four sons, 

name, for he is now capably serving in the emigrated westward, taking up their abode 

jxjsition of auditor. He is a native of the in Fairfield county, Ohio, in Ai)ril of that 

Keystone .slate, his birth having occurred year. Tli- f.iilur was a carpenter and build- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



195- 



er and throughout his entire hfe engaged 
in business along those lines. His political 
support was given the Democracy and he 
was a member of the German Reformed 
church. Unto him' and his wife were born 
four sons : Eli, who is living in Etna, Lick- 
ing county, Ohio; Fred L., of this review; 
Jacob L., who is a farmer of P'ataskala, 
Licking county; and Daniel, who was born 
February 22, 1848, and is now engaged in 
farming near Baltimore, Fairfield county. 

All departments of life are being contin- 
uously recruited from the farms. The boys 
reared amid the surroundings of rural life 
displaying strength of character as well as 
of physical manhood, make their way to the 
cities and become active factors in the vari- 
ous pursuits which constitute actix-ity in the 
various lines that contribute to upbuilding 
and prosperity there. Fred L. Mauger was 
reared upon' the home farm in the usual man- 
ner of boys of the period, working in the 
fields through the summer months, while 
in the district schools he acquired his early 
education. He was thus engaged until twen- 
ty-one years of ag'e, after which he became 
a student in a select school taught by Pro- 
fessor Isaac Johnson in Reynoldsburg. 
Later he began teaching, following that pro- 
fession at Wagram. He then attended 
Central College in Franklin county fur two 
terms and while there was elected major of 
the Third Ohio ]\Iilitia of Licking cnunty, 
the commission being signed by Gcn'ernor 
Tod. Li Sqjtember, 1862, Mr. Mauger 
joined the Squirrel Hunters in resjidnse to 
the call of the gox-ernor for men to aid in 
the defense of Cin^cinnati, which was threat- 



ened by Morgan of the Confederacy. They 
were stationed at Camp Nickelsoin, se\-ea 
miles from Covington, Kentucky, where 
they remained one week, Morgan retreating. 
In 1864 Mr. Mauger wais agent for the 
Home Insurance Company of Columlms, 
and the following year went to Xashville, 
Temniessee, where he was' emplotyed by the 
government as assistant steward of the' 
Summer street quarters, having charge of 
about seven hundred and fift_\- men, who 
were doing government work. There he 
remained until after the close of the war. 
He tlien returned to Fairfield count}-, Ohio,, 
and was engaged in teaching school through 
sixteen consecutive winters, while in the 
summer months he engaged in tlie \\i :rk of 
the farm. 

In 1869 Mr. Mangier was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Rachel A. Roby, of Fairfield 
county, a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah 
(Seibert) Roby, who came from \'irginia 
to Fairfield county, bringing the most of 
their effects upon a pack-saddle. They are 
still living in \\^alnut township and Mrs. 
Roby is now in her eight\'-third year. ^Nlrs. 
Mauger died October i, 1884, an<l ^Nlina 
Helen, the only child born toi our subject and 
his wife, passed away March' 2, 1900. 

As a citizen Mr. Mauger is deepl}' inter- 
e.sted in' all that pertains to public progress- 
and improvement. When in his twenty- 
second year he was elected a major of the 
Third Ohio Militia and remained an active 
member of that militaiy organization for 
several years. In fraternal circle's he is 
quite prominent, being a x'alued rcprci^cnta- 
tive of the Masonic lodge. Xo. 537. of ^[il- 



190 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lersport: Chapter Xo. ii. R. A. M. : Lan- 
caster Commandery, Xo. 2, K. T. ; the East- 
ern Star lodge: and the Knights of Pythias 
fraternity. He exercises his right of fran- 
chise in supiHjrt of tlie men and measures 
of the Democratic i)arty and has filled a 
number of township oitices. He has also been 
assessor and township land appraiser, and 
has had in charge the settlement of several 
important estates. In Xovenil)er. igoo, he 



was elected county auditor for a term of 
three years and on the 2rst of October, 
1 90 1, entered upon the duties of his posi- 
tion. His unl>ending integrity of character, 
his fearlessness in the discharge of his du- 
ties and his appreciation of the responsi- 
bilities that rest upon him are such as to 
make him a most acceptal)le incuml>ent of 
the ofHce and his worth is widely acknowl- 
edged. I 



HENRY H. WALTERS. 



When the tocsin of war sounded at the 
time when tlie spirit of rebellion reigned in 
the south, men from all walks of life flcKked 
to the standard of the L'liicn. jiulting aside 
business cares and home ties to perform 
their duty to their coimtry upon the field of 
battle. Henry H. Waiters was among the 
loyal sons of Fairfield c<iunt\' wIk* joine<l 
the northern army and since his retirement 
fnni military life he has Ijeen equally faith- 
ful til his native lan<l and her best inter- 
ests. 

Mr. Walters was born in Lancaster on 
the iJth of December. 1S37. His paternal 
grandfather, Irwin Walters, was a native 
of Pennsylvania and married a Miss Weaver. 
Seeking a home on the fnvntier they made 
their way to Fairfield ciiunl\- in the begin- 
ning of the nineteenth centur\ . bringing 
with them three horses. The wockIs were 
green abnut their cabin home and the hard- 



ships and privations of j)ioneer life were to 
be met and overcome. Ciame of all kinds 
was plentiful and it was through the use of 
his rille that the family board was supplied 
with meat for several years. The work of 
clearing and cultivating the land progressed 
slowly, but in course of time richly culti- 
vated fields brought good harvests. Samuel 
Walters, the father of our subject, was 
born in Harrisbiu'g, Pet^nsylvania, in 1798, 
and was about two years of age when his 
parents came to this county. When a little 
lad of six summers he was captured by the 
Indians and held for six days liefore re- 
turned to his parents, dining which time he 
was clothed in an entire new .suit of buck- 
.skin. .\mid the wild scenes of the frontier, 
in a district on the \er\- borders of civili- 
zation he was reared and early became fa- 
miliar with the arduous task bf clearing 
wild land ami preparing it for the plovv. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. \9T 



After parliall\- clearing his farm he re- man he eniharkeil. Ha\ing thoroughly 
moved to Lancaster, where he engaged in mastered the husiness in early manhood, he 
contracting and huilding. He erected man}- has ever followed it anrl to-day is recog- 
(>t tlie early structures there and was a very nized as one of the leaders in this line, 
useful citizen. He alsoi engaged in cabinet On the ^olh of June, i860, Mr. Walters 
making in Lancaster and his efforts proved was united in marriage to Miss Catherine, 
of great value in this frontier region. He a daughter of David anid ]\Liry A. I Bowers) 
married Miss Julia A. \\'arnell. who was (iroff. She was born in New Lbilland, Lan- 
jjorn in Hagerstown, ALaryland, in 1804, caster county, Pennsylvania, ami in 1850 
and came tO' Lancaster with her parents, came to Lancaster, Ohio, where her father 
Bv her marriage she became the mother of spent his remaining days. L^nto our sub- 
four sons: Irwin, wbo was killed in the ject and his wife ha\e been- bo-rn several 
Civil war: Samuel, who is now a resident of children: \\'illiani, (jf Lancaster: Brunella, 
Texa.si: Xoah S. and Henrv H. The only the wife of Leon Miesse, of this city: Mary 
daughter of the family was Alinerva, the E.. the wife of Abraham Parett, of Circle- 
wife 'of Daniel Rodepoucli., of Lancaster. \'ille. Ohio: an^d ^largaret, the wife tif (r. 
After the death of the lather his widow Xix( n, of Indianapolis, Indiana, 
removed to- White Cli:aid, Kansas, where Mr. Walters is a pronounc'ed Republican,, 
she died in 1S82. having licen a stalwart advocate of the jjarty 
Henrx' H. ^\'alters acquired his early ed- from the time he attained his majorit}'. In 
ucation in the public schools of Lancaster matters of citizenship he is most loyal and 
an<l afterward attended a private school un- in 1861 he responded to the lirst call for 
til his seventeenth year, when he learned seventy-tive thousand men, joining Comt-- 
the trarle of house and sign, painting and of pany .\, of the First Regiment oif Ohio Vol- 
papering, ami throughout his: business ca- unteers, under command of Colonel Connell. 
reer he has been connected with these pur- The regiment was ordered toi Washingtoni, 
suits. He takes contracts for both city and D. C, and participated in the first battle 
countr_\' work and employes a force o-f ment of Bull Run. On the expiration of his three- 
for b(.th liranches of the business. His months' term Air. ^^'alters retiu^ned home and 
patronage comes from adjoining counties as accepted a position \vith a sutler, in which 
well as Fairfield and the business has been capacity he served until Xovember, 1863, 
successfully carried on to the present time, when he enlisted in the Sexenteenth Ohi(J 
He takes and executes a lairge number of Regini'ent and took part in the battle of Re- 
contracts anjiually and his labors bring to saca, Georgia, Avhere he was se\'erely wound- 
him a well merited success. Perhaps one ed by being shot through the left hand, 
feature of his prosperity is the persistency permanently disabling him. He was then 
with which he has continued to labor in the taken ti> the hospital, where he remained 
field of activity in which as a young trades- for nine months, after which he was trans- 



i9« THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 

ferred to Memphis and later to Camp Den- tlie war and his ex])erieiKes on southern 

nison. at Cincinnati. Oiiio, where he was battlefields. Upi mi his return frum the fields 

honorably discharged in October, 1864. He of carnage and desolation he resumed the 

is now a member of Ben Butterfield Post, jnirsuits of civil life and has since main- 

G. .\. R.. and takes delight in recalling when tained an honorable position in industrial 

Avith Jiis old armv comrades the incidents of circles in his native citv. 



JAMES B. CLAYPOOL. 



,;.'^ 



James B. Claypool, who is engaged in has a very \aluable property. In 1877 he 

general farming on section 34, Greenfield erected his present fine residence, which is 

township, represaits one of the m<Tist hon"- modern in style of architecture and in all 

ored as well as one of the oldest pioneer its appointments. Ills farm ciinii)rises ime 

families in this portitvn nf the state. He hundred an<l forty-five acres of good land, 

was lx>rn in this township, Octol^er 22, 1850, He has one of the finest droves of horses in 

and is the second son (jf Isaac and Nancy the country, including an imported Olden- 

(i^son) Clavpool. whose histor\- is given burg coach horse, Zelora G., sired by Penny- 

in full on another page of this volume. No pack, a very famous horse, having a record 

■event of special importance occurred to varv- of 2 :-?o'4 at three years old. He also has a 

the routine of farm life for Mr. Claypcxjl in horse that is a grandson of George Wilkes, 

his youth. His early education was acquired and he makes the circuit with some of his 

in the schools of Lancaster and afterward horses, which have made good records upon 

he became a student in Dennison University, the track. This is merely a department of 

at Gninville. where he remained in 1S69-70. his business, for he engages in general fami- 

\\'hen his eilucation was completed he at ing and other branches of stix-k-raising. and 

once began stfKk-raising, making a specialty his well tlirected efforts are bringing tti him 

of the breeding of coach and trotting horses, a very satisfactory success, 
lie located on the farm where he now re- ^'Ci^^^ Mr. Clay])o<\l was married to 

sides and has greatly improved the place. Miss Lizzie I'eters, a daughter of Xewton 

A\'hen he took possession of it, it was largely and Lydia ( Rversole) Peters. She was 

c(jyered with a native growth of forest trees, born in Greenlield township, pursued her 

These he cleared away and with character- education in the district sch(x>ls and by her 

istic energ\- h;is continued the work of im- m.nrriage has become the mother of two chil- 

provement and development luitil he now dren : Carl Peters, a \ery bright boy. who 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I9S 



is pursuing liis educatii.Mi in the high schixil 
of Laucaster: and Clark Wesley, \v\vf is at- 
tending- the district school. The elder was 
appointed a ]3age in the senate during the 
last general assemhlv. He desired to make 
Iiis own way through school unaided and is 
doing so. He will soon graduate at the age 
of seventeen years and has already passed 
the county examination luider the Boxwell 
law, which gave him free tuitioni in the 
high school. 

Mr. Clayi)col, of this review, exercises 
his right of franchise in stipport of the men 
and measures O'f the Republican party, whicli 



he has supported since attaining his major- 
ity. He is now township trustee ami has 
held other offices, although the township is 
strongly Democratic. He has never sought 
(itticial preferment, hut his fellow men, 
recognizing his worth and al)ility, have 
called him to office. He attends the Pres- 
byterian church, and as a citizen is liberal 
in support of all measures which he believes 
will prove of pulilic benefit. His worth is 
widely acknoiwl edged and he is well known 
as an honored representative of a promi- 
nent pioneer family whose record is praise- 
wcrthv and above criticism. 



ISAAC GROVE. 



Isaac Grave, who is filling the position 
of section foreman on the Cincinnati & Mus- 
kingum Railroad, makes his home in Bre- 
men. He is numbered among the native 
sons of Fairfield county, for his birth oc- 
curred in Rush Creek township on the iith 
of ]\larch, 1845. His father, Oliver Grove, 
was born in Pennsylvania in 1821 and in 
his thirteenth year came tO' Fairfield coitn- 
ty, Ohio, with his parents, John and Anna 
( Mc^^'illiams) Gro\-e. who settled in Rush 
Creek tmvnship. After arriving at years 
of maturity the father of our subject mar- 
ried Miss Martha Blosser, who was born in 
Fairfield county, a daughter of Isaac and 
Elizabeth (Coffman) Blosser. By this mar- 
riage were born eleven children, seven of 



wlK.m are lix'ing : Isaac, whose name" in- 
troduces this review; Caroline, the wife of 
Oscar Siefert; Nancy, who married John 
C. Nagney ; William; Samuel; John; and 
Han'ey. 

In the public schools of his home neigh- 
borhood Isaac Grove pursued his education 
until his sixteenth year and during that time 
made his residence with his parents on the 
farm. The Civil war was then in progress 
and his patriotic spirit was aroused by the 
attempt oif the south to overthrow tlie unioo. 
Accordingly, although but a boy, he offered 
his services to the government and l>ecame 
a memlier oi Company B, Seventeenth Ohio 
^^(llunteer Infantry, under the command of 
Colonel John N. Connell. The troops were 



200 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



immediately sent to the front and partici- 
pated in a numljer of battles and skimiishes, 
includinjj; the engagements at Chattanooga, 
Chickanianga. Stone River and others of less 
importance. Mr. Grove served faithfully 
for three years and eleven months, and dis- 
played valor and loyalty equal to 'that of 
many of the veterans twice or thrice his 
years. He was always found at his post of 
duty, which often took him into the thickest 
of the fight, but never wavered in his sup- 
port of the starry banner and the cause 
it represented. When the war was ended 
he received an honorable discharge on the 
23d of July, 1865, and again t<K)k up the 
peaceful pursuits of life. 

Returning to this county, Mr. Grove was 
employed to operate a sawmill used in manu- 
facturing hard lumber. In 1881 he entered 
the employ of the Cincinnati & Muskingum 
Valley Railroad on a section and for the past 
seventeai years has been foreman of that 
branch of the service. He has been most 
capable in the discharge of his duties and has 
the entire confidence of those whom he rep- 



resents. As his financial resources have in- 
creased he has made judicious investments 
in real estate and he is now the owner of 
valuable city jiroperty. 

In 187J occurred the marriage of Isaac 
Grove and Miss Louisa Hiilyard, a daugh- 
ter of Enoch and Mary (Blosser) Hiilyard, 
(if Bremen. Her father was a native of 
I'ennsyhania and her mother of Virginia. 
They l)ecame early settlers of Rusii Creek 
township and were highly regarded as rep- 
resentative citizens of the community. Mr. 
and Mrs. Grove have no children of their 
own, but have an adopted son, Roy Grove, 
who is now ten years old. Mr. Grove was 
for six years a member of the city council 
and during his incumbency strongly advo- 
cated every measure which he believed 
would prove of general good. It was dur- 
ing his service that the walks of Bremen 
were paved. His co-ojieration is heartily 
given every measure tending to benefit his 
fellow men and throughout the community 
he is known for his honesty and integrity, 
as well as his loyal citizenship. 



DAVID PENCE. 



David Pence, who is engaged in general He became a planter of the Old Dominion 

fanning on section 22, Pleasant townshiji, and was there married to BaHxira Ruffner 

was lv>rn on the 3d of November, 1822, in by whom he had two children l)ef<^re the re- 

Richlanil townshi[), Fairfield county. His nv)\a! of the family to the west. These 

father, David Pence, aniis a nati\e of Shen- were: Aaron, who became a carpenter and 

andoah, Virginia, born February 4. 1777. <lied in Licking county, Ohio, at the age of 




DAVID PENCE 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



203 



eighty-three years ; and Annie, wlio marrieil 
Tunis P. Ashbrook, a farmer of Fairfield 
county, in which place he died at the ad- 
\'anced age of ninetv-two ^-ears. Determin- 
ing to mlake his lnjme in the Buckeye state. 
David Pence, Sr.. journeyed westward b_\ 
wagons. Ijringing with him his household 
goods and liis famil}-. He settled on a 
quarter section of land in Richland tOiwn- 
ship. w hich had been given to him and his 
wife In- the latter's father. Emanuel Ruff- 
ner. As time passed he prospered and adtled 
to his landed possessions until he had' very 
extensive interests here. The family was 
also increased by the birth of eight children : 
P21eanor, who married Benjamin Miller and 
after his death became the wife of George 
Shoemaker: Mary, the wife of Jacob 
Stoker, a farmer of Hancock county. Ohio: 
Joseph, who died at the age of tifty-five 
3'ears; Rebecca, the wife of David Fall. ;; 

farnwr of Iowa; Elizabeth, who married 

« 

Abraham Spetler. an agriculturist of this 
county: Saphira, the wife of George Miller, 
a farmer of Jones county, Iowa: David, 
whose name introduces this review: and Sa- 
\illa. his twin sister, who is the wife of S. 
P. Weaver, a farmer of Putnam countv. 
Ohio, .\fter the death of his first wife, the 
father of this famil_\- was married 011 the 
2 1 St of February. 1832, to Catherine Grow, 
a daughter of Jolm Grow, O'f Licking- 
county, Ohio, and tliey had four children: 
John, a resident physician O'f Columibus: 
Henry, a farmer of Walnut toiwushi]!, Fair- 
field county: Samantha, tine wife of David 
Chism, a farmer of Licking county: an<l 
Sarah, who became the wife of John Mays, 
but 1x>th are now deceased. After the fam- 

il 



il)- resided for a number of years in Rich- 
land tO'wnship, David Pence sold his land 
there and removed to a farm in Pleasant 
townsb.ip, situated twO' miles south of Pleas- 
antville on the Pleasantville pike. ui»n 
which he spent his remaining days, passing; 
away in 1S52. 

David Pence, the suljject of this re- 
\"iew, attended the district schools antl later 
continued his education in the Granville Col- 
lege in Licking county, Ohio. He after- 
ward engaged in teaching for a number of 
years and then emtorked in the stock busi- 
ness, buying cattle in the west and driving 
them to market in I'ittsburg, Baltimore and 
Philadelphia,. F"or fourteen years he fol- 
lowed that enterprise and then began deal- 
ing in sheejii. which he |)urchased in Ohio 
and in the east and S(]ld in the western 
markets for breeding purposes. A'fter en- 
gaging in that business for a number of 
}-ears Mr. Pence found that he had ac- 
ipiired sufiicient ca])ital to ena])le him to i)ur- 
chase a farm and he then bought two hun- 
dred and seventy-five acres of land in Wal- 
nut township, F"airfield county. As a com- 
panion and helpmate for the journe\- of life- 
he chose Harriet M. Pngh, the wedding be- 
ing celebrated on the 26th of Jul v. 1853^ 
They had two children : Anna ]\I. is the 
wife of Josq>h S. Sites, an attornex- at law 
of Lancaster, Ohio; and tjiey are the par- 
ents of the following children: David E., 
Jessie L., Robert, F'rederick and r\Iargaret ; 
Henry C. married' Anna Chisler, and has 
four children: Earl. William', Delia and 
Hazel. Mrs. Pence died in 1895. 

Mr. Pence remained upon his first farn> 
for only a brief iieriod. When three vears 



204 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



liad passed lie sold tlie property and througli 
llie succeeding three years resided upon a 
rented farm in the same township. He tiien 
bought Ills present farm of one Inindred an<l 
forty-one acres of rich land, wliich is under 
a high state of cultivation, lieing imjiroved 
with all modern equipments and! facilities. 
At the time of the Civil war he served as sut- 
ler's clerk for Reber & Kutz and was with 
the army of the Tennessee for some time. 
At the battle of Chickamauga their horses, 
wagons and stock were stolen. The Thir- 
teenth Ohio Regiment to which they were' 



attached re-enlisted and Mr. Pence again 
went to the front, remaining witii that coii;- 
mand until it reached .\tlanta, when he re- 
turned to the north. He has since engagtd 
in peacefully tilling the soil and is enjoying 
the fniits of his former lalx>r. He is a pro- 
gressive farmer and stock man and is widely 
and fa\oral)1\' known in his native countx . 
Mr. Pence has always given his support to 
the men and measures of the Republican 
])arty. but has never care^l for office, pre- 
ferring to give his undivided attrition to his 
business interests. 



JACOB ERNST. 



Jacob Ernst is one of the representative 
and highly respected citizens of Fairfield 
county, being one of its early settlers, and 
is now residing in the village of Stoutsville. 
He was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, 
September 30, 1830, where he resided until 
he was seven years of age. when in April, 
1838, he accompanied bis parents to Ohio. 
The facilities for traveling in those early 
pioneer days were very primitive and tlie 
family made this joumey with teams. They 
located in Washington township, Pickaway 
county. The fatlier of our subject, Daniel 
Ernst, was also a native of Berks county. 
Pennsylvania, and was there married to 
Miss Sarah Mohn. He followed the use- 
ful occupation of farming all his life. He 
died in Washington townsbip, Pickaway 



county, in 1843. at the age of thirty-five 
years. Pie was an active, enteqirising man, 
and his labors toward the cultivation and 
improvement t)f their frontier home were 
not in vain, 'ihe mother was born in 1806, 
in Berks comity, Pennsyhania, and long 
survived her husljand, l>eing called to the 
home beyond in 1873. in the village of 
Sti>utsville. The father held membership in 
the Lutheran church, the mother in the Re- 
formed clnirch. In jxilitics he gave his sui>- 
port to the Democratic party. The i>arents 
were earnest Christian ]:)eople. with that 
sterling wt)rth of character which, when 
combined with energy and industry, has 
f<rmed the basis of the thrift and prosperity 
of our great country. In their family were 
five children, four of whom are yet living: 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



205 



John resides near Bluffton. Wells county. 
Indiana, and like his father before him. is a 
farmer by occupation. Jacob is the second 
in order of birth. Alary became the wife 
of Jesse Brown, of East Ringgold. Ohio, 
who is a farmer there. She died leaving 
a 'family of children. Sarah became the 
wife of William Upp, a farmer, and they 
reside in Clear Creek township. Mary M. 
is the wife of M. Van Buren Lothouse. who 
resides in Columbus, Ohio, where he is en- 
gaged with the Citizens' Telephone Conv 
pan}-. 

Our subject pursued his early educa- 
tion in the common schools of Washington 
township, Pickaway coiinty, and remained 
on the old home place until he reached man's 
estate, becoming, through the good influence 
of worthy parents, early imbued with' those 
principles of right conduct, without which 
success in life cajiiiot be attained. In 1854 
Mr. Ernst removed to Fairfield coimty. and 
settled in Clear Creek township'. He there 
rented a farm, which he operated foir some 
years. He then purchased a home in the 
village of Stoutsville, about the year 1856, 
aiid removing to his new home has li\'ed 
there ever since. Here he engaged fnr 
eight years in stone cutting. However, in 
1864, feeling that the country needed his 
services, he joined the boys in blue, enlist- 
ing in Company I, One Hundred Fifty- 
ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was 
stationed at Baltimore, Maryland, where 
he ser\-ed one hundred days and was mus- 
tered out at Zanesville. Ohio, having been 
honc^rably discharged by the government. 
He had gladly rendered his services to the 
cause of the Union, and when thev were no 



longer required he returned to Stoutsville, 
where he resumed his old business, as well 
as that o'f a thresher and so continued for 
t\venty-fi\-e years. He is at present engaged 
in farming near Sti-uts\ille. 

In the year 1853 Mr. Ernst had been 
united in marriage tO' Miss Catherine Stotit, 
a daughter of Jonathan Stout, of Clear Creek 
township, who was born in 1800. He en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits and run a 
sawmill, and was a prominent and enterpris- 
ing business man O'f his day, doing much 
to promote the future welfare of the coun- 
t}- in which he lived. UntO' Mr. and Mrs. 
Ernst were born two children : .Vmanda is 
the wife of Lewis F. Crites, a merchant of 
Stoutsville. They had two children : Flor- 
ence, who died at the age of five years, and 
Ernst. Noah A. resides in Cantoni, Ohio, 
and is a lawyer, practicing at that place. 
He married Clara Levan. They had three 
children, tw© of whoni are living: Delmar 
E., a law student and teacher in the schools 
of Clear Creek township; Alverta, who died 
at the age of twelve years; and \\'illiam 
A., who resides at home and is a school 
teacher. 

From pioneer times up to tire present 
])rogressive age, Mr. Ernst has been an act- 
ive factor in the improvement and develop- 
ment of the count V in which he has lived. 
He has ever been an earnest advocate of 
anything tending ti> the general u]5ibuilding 
and improvement of his community. He 
was school director for some twelve years 
and helped build the school houses of Clear 
Creek township. He erected the second 
dwelling iiouse in the village of Stoutsville. 
Mr. Krnst is what may well be termed a self- 



206 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nia<le man. liaviiig started in life without 
capital, he has attained to a pt>sition of prom- 
inence and importance, and while through his 
industry, energy and untiring devotion to 
business enterprises he lias achieved finan- 
cial success, he has not failed to advance 
the interests of his ctmimunity in every way 
possible. He is highly esteemed l)y all who 



know him. In politics he is a Dauocrat. 
He has held the office of township trustee 
and other local offices, and in times of peace 
as in war he has ever been faithful to duty. 
He is a devoted memljer of the Heidelberg 
congregation of tlie Reformed church of 
the United States at Stoutsville and is hold- 
ing the office of elder. 



JASPER J. BARNETT. 



Jasper J. Barnett, who is living a retired 
life, has in former years l^een actively asso- 
ciated with agricultural an<l mercantile in- 
terests in Fairfield county, and was also 
numbered among the s»ldiers that Olwo 
sent to the front at the time of the Civil 
war. He was born in Madison tow-nship, 
Perry coimty, Ohio, April 28, 1833, and is 
a son of Solomon and Nancy (Upton) Bar- 
nett. Tlie father was born in W'ashignton 
county, Maryland, and the mother was also 
a native of that locality. After arriving at 
years of maturity they were married and 
S(X)n afterward came to Ohio, settling on a 
farm in Perry county, where they were 
numbered among the prosperous agricuh- 
urists of the coirimunity. In 1844 they re- 
moved to Clear Creek township, Fairfield 
county, where the fatlner spent liis remaining 
days, passing away there in 1875. His wife 
survived him and afterward removed to the 
village of Amanda, taking up her residaice 
with our subject, where she died in 1884. 



In the family were eight children. The fol- 
l(jwing reachetl years of maturity; Jemima, 
Margaret. Jasper J., Jane, Robert and 
Lewis. In his political affiliations the father 
was a Democrat and both he and his wife 
belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. 
Jasper J. Barnett spent the first twelve 
years of his life on the home fartri in Perry 
county and diu'ing that periixl attended the 
district schools, while later he continued his- 
education in the public schools of Drinkle 
and in Kingston Academy, of Kingston, 
Ohio. He then began teaching in the pub- 
lic schools and followed that profession for 
fourteen years, proving his capabilit}- as an 
educator by the clear and ready manner in 
which he imparted to others the knowledge 
he had acquired and by the way in which 
he maintained discipline. On abandoning 
that profession, lie turned his attention ti> 
farming. In May, 1864, he enliste<l in Com- 
pany 1, One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Ohio 
\'nlunteer Infantry, under the command of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



207 



Captain E. Griffith. Soon- afterward ]\Ir. 
Barnett was commissioned iirst lieutenant 
and was ordered to Baltimore, Maryland, 
where he did garrison duty for one hundred 
days, at the expiration of which period he 
recei\-ed an hr)norable discharge in Septem- 
ber, 1864. 

Returning to Fairfield county, Mr. Bar- 
nett engaged in farming and stock raising 
and also devoted his attention to school 
teaching for two- years. In 1867 he pur- 
chased his father's old homestead, thus be- 
coming the owner of two hundred acres of 
land,, to the further development and culti- 
vation of which he devoted his energies with 
untiring activit\' until 1882. His labors 
made liis place one of the desirable farms 
of the county, his enterprise and capable 
management being manifest in the neat and 
thrifty appearance of the farm. At length 
he put aside business cares and in 1882 re- 
moved to the village of Amanda, where he 
established a harness store, but later he dis- 
posed of that enterprise and is now living 
retired. 

It was in the year 1865 that M^-. Bar- 
nett was united in marriage to ]\Iiss Marv 



lUissard, of Fairfield coimt\', a daughter of 
Daniel and Rhoda ( Seidener) Bussard. Her 
grandparents were pioneers of Marylarid, 
having settled there in' colonial days. The 
parents of Mrs. Barnett were both natives 
of Maryland and from that state removed to 
Fairfield count}', Ohio', the Bussards being 
xevy early settlers of this; portion of the 
state. Mrs. Barnett was born in Fairfield 
county, November 5, 1839, and by her mar- 
riage became the mother of two children, 
but Cora E. died in her twelfth year. Tlie 
surviving daughter is Jennie A. 

Mr. Barnett is a stanch advocate of Re- 
puWican principles, having (supported the 
party since attaining his majoritw He also 
belong-s to Tarlton Lodge, Xo. 218, I. O. 
O. F., and was once a memljer of McPher- 
son Post, G. A. R. Since 1849 '""^ ''•''s been 
ai: acceptable member of the Methotlist 
Episco])al church and has always been loyal 
to its teachings and active in^ its wurk, do- 
ing e\-erything in his power to extend the 
influence and promote the growth of the 
church. Mrs. Barnett is also an acti\-e mem- 
ber of the same church, with which she 
united in girlhood day^s. 



JAMES C. MOCK. 



Fairfield county is fortunate in that her with the public ser\ice is James C. Mock, 

•offices are largely filled by men of ability, who; is filling the office o-f recorder' and 

trustworthiness and marked dex'otion to makes his home in Lancaster. He was born 

duty. Among the number now connected in that city on the 23(1 of May, 1865, his 



208 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



parents being- Martin and Mary (Harmon) 
Mock. His father was Ijorn in Berne town- 
ship, Fairtield county. July 7, 1833, and his 
wife was also a native of this county, -where 
she spent her entire hfe. passing away in 
1877. Da\-id Mock, the paternal grandfa- 
ther, was a native of Pennsylvania and mar- 
ried Miss M. Ruble, of Greensburg. Penn- 
sylvania. 

At the usual age James C. Mock entered 
the pu])lic schools oA the county, there pur- 
suing his education for se\eral years. He 
afterward spait one term in the high school 
at Carroll, Ohio, and then began teaching, 
which profession he followed acceptably for 
six years. On the expiration of that period 



he l)ecame identified with agricultural inter- 
ests and for a numter of years was em- 
l>loyed as a salesman in different stores, but 
now he is giving his entire attention to his 
official duties. He had previously ser\'ed 
as assessor and as township clerk, and in 
November, 1899, he was elected county re- 
corder upon the Democratic ticket, entering 
upon the duties of the ofifice in September, 
1000, for a term of three years. He has 
proved himself an efficient officer, dis- 
charging his duties with promptness and 
fidelity, and his course is one meriting the 
praise and commendation of all fair-m'nded 
citizens, by whom he is held in high esteem 
as a capable and worthy citizen. 



HENRY CLAY WEAVER. 



Henry Clay Weaver, who is identified 
with the farming interests of Fairfield coim- 
ty, Ohio, and with the shoe manufacturing 
business of Rochester, Xew 'S'ork. makes 
his home in Lancaster, although he spends 
considerable time in the east. He was lx)rn 
in this comity and is a representati\e i>r 
one of the oldest and most lionored families. 
His ])atcrnal gr;ui(lf;ither. .\dam Weaver, 
removed from Lancaster county. Pennsyl- 
vania, to the \illage of Lancaster, Ohio, in 
the l)eginning <A the nineteenth century, and 
was first connected with business interests 
here as a salesman in the store of Rudolph 
Pitcher. Tn the vcar 1810 he was elected 



justice of the peace of Hocking township 
and was so fair and impartial in his rulings 
that he was continued in the office for eight- 
een years. In iSu lie was serving as a 
lieutenant in Captain Sumner's Company of 
.\rtiller\- and when the second war with 
I'jigland was begun this company rqxirted 
Xo the governor at I-'ranklinton for service, 
but owing to the fact that .\dam Weaver 
was then sheriff of l-'airfield county the gov- 
ernor excused him from active field service 
and Sosthenes McCabe was elected lieuten- 
ant in liis place. In the year 1S26 Mr. 
W'ca\or was elected county treasurer and 
tilled that office for four vears. He was 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



209 



almost continuously in office in the county 
through a very extended period and was 
recognized as a leader in pu'blic thought and 
action at an early day, his opinions largely 
shaping the public policy during the early 
years of the century. He was a very active, 
vigorous man and was one O'f the posse of 
men under Thomas Ewing who went to ar- 
rest the counterfeiters in 1818. He died in 
the year 1841. 

AuTOng his children was George Weaver, 
once the editor of the Lancaster Gazette ; 
]\Irs. Philip Bope; and John C. W'eaver. 
The last named was the father of our sub- 
ject. He became a very' active factor in 
business circles as a merchant and banker 
of Lancaster. He was born in this city in 
1816 and watched its progress and advance- 
ment through many years. His business in- 
terests aided in promoting its commercial 
and finau'cial activity and also bronght to 
him a handsome return on his investment. 
He was united in marriage tO' Nancy Archer, 



a native oif Ripley, Brown county, Ohio, 
and a daugfiter O'f a Revolutionary soldier. 
The mother of oiir subject died at Clifton 
Springs, New York, in 1880, and the father 
passed away in 1877. Two children sur- 
vive them: Henry C., of this re\-iew, and 
Mary Archer, the wife of C. R. Richards, a 
shoe manufacturer of Rochester, New York, 
with whom Mr. Weaver is engaged in Imsi- 
ness. 

Henry Clay Weaver pursued his edu- 
cation in the public schools of Lancaster, 
completing the high school course. He is 
now largely interested in real estate in Fair- 
field county, being the oyyner oif two or three 
good farms, yet he spends a large portion 
of his time in Rochester, New York, super- 
intending his manufacturing interests in that 
city. He is a very progressive and' enterpris- 
ing business mlan, who farms his plans 
readily and is determined in their execu- 
tion. Such men are the bone and sinew of 
any community. 



JACOB GROUSE. 



Jacol) Cr(iuse. a resident farmer. li\'ing in ^\ alnut township, l""airfield ciiunt\'. upon 
on section t^i. Pleasant township, was born .'i farm which he developed and iniprmcd in 
in ^^'alnut tnwnship, Fairfield county, Ohio, the midst 6f the forest. Levi Cmuse was 
on the 24th of September, 1849. His fa- only five years of age at the time of the 
tlier, Levi Crouse, was born in Maryland remo\al. He assisted in the woirk of the 
in 1813 and was a son of John Crouse. a home farm and was married lo Catherine 
planter, who brou.ght his family from the Iiihlcr, by whom he had four children : La- 
south to Ohio in t8t8, taking up his ahode vina, who became the wife of Rculjen Sands, 



210 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a farmer. Init l)otli are nmv deceased; Eliza- 
beth, the deceased wife of Tliomas Avery, a 
resident of Newark, Ohio; Peter, a farmer 
of Van \\'ert county, Ohio; and Jacob, of 
this review. 

Upon tlie iild family homestead Jacob 
Crouse was reared and in the winter months 
he pursued his education in tlie common 
schools, while in tlie summer months he as- 
sisted in the work of the fields. On the 
13th n\ June. 1 87 1, he married Teresa Wil- 
lielni. Her father, Samuel W'ilhelmi, was 
born in Berkeley county. West Virginia, and 
was a son of John Wilhelm, who was born 
in y^ennsylvania and was descended from an 
old Penns_\-hanian faniil}-. He hecame the 
overseer of a plantation in the Old Domin- 
ion and there carried on agricultural pur- 
suits for many years. His son, Samuel 
Wilhelm. was in' a boat on the Ohio river 
on the night of the memorable meteoric 
shower in the year 1833. Locating first in 
Cincinnati, he remained there for several 
months and then came to Lancaster in 
IMarcli. 1834. Here he engaged in the man- 
ufacture of furniture, making a specialty of 
chairs and bedsteads. For eighteen years 
he successfully carried on that business on 
Broadway and with the profits of the enter- 
prise he eventually ])urchased a farm of one 
hundred and sixty acres in Pleasant town- 
shi]). where our subject and his wife now 
reside. In 1832 he abandoned industrial and 
commercial i)ursuits. removing to his farm. 
On the 2nth of June. 1834, Mr. Wilhelm 
W'as united in marriage to ]\tiss Rachel .\r- 
nold. T-fer father was Ix^rn i>n a i)lanta- 
tioii near Hagerstown. Mar\lancl. and her 



grandfather, George Arnold, liecame one of 
the pioneer settlers of Ohio, emigrating to 
this state in 1801. Here he located a tract 
of land in what is now Pleasant township, 
Fairfield county, where the county infirmary 
is located. This he bought of the govern- 
ment. He erected the first gristmill in the 
county on Fetter's Run, in Pleasant town- 
shijj, which was of great benefit to the set- 
tlers, as prior to this they had to go to Zanes- 
\-ille and Chillicothe for their meal an<l flour. 
While on a prospecting tour he and the party 
with which he traveled were attacked by the 
IiKlians and he was wounded in the fight. 
After locating his land he returned to Mary- 
land and brought his famiily to the new 
home. Among the number were his son 
Frederick and his wife and their four chil- 
dren — Joel; Daniel; Sarah, who married 
Xathan Bright; and Susan, who married 
Samuel Shaffer. After their arrival nine 
more children were born to him, of whom 
two died in infancy, while Maria and Fred- 
erick K. died uimiarried ; Rachel became 
the wife of Samuel Wilhelm, the father of 
Mrs. Crouse: Lehr niarrie<l David Bright; 
Absalom ; Israel ; and George. The mother 
of this family Ixjre the maiden name of Bar- 
bara Petrie. Her father, when a young lad, 
came from Holland to America, landing at 
Baltimore, and was sold out to service in 
order to pay the price of his passage, as was 
the custom in those days. He learned the 
business of manufacturing ixiwder and after- 
ward became a wealthy merchant of Hagers- 
town. Marvland. 

Unto Samuel and Rachel (Arnold) Wil- 
helm were born six children, fom' sons and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



211 



two daughters : Mary, \vlii> died unmar- 
ried; Diana, who married David Ewing, a 
farmer of Pleasant township, and died May 
I, 1900 : James, who is now engaged in the 
real estate business in Columbus, Ohio; Mar- 
tin L., a Lutheran minister of Wooster, 
Ohio: Teresa N., the wife of our subject; 
and Margaret B., the wife of William A, 
Wright, a retired farmer now living at Mag- 
nolia Springs, Union county, Ohio. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Grouse reside upon 



her father's farm and he is numbered among 
the progressive and enterprising agricult- 
urists of the comminiit)-. Their home has 
been lilessed with two children, but one of 
the number died in infancy, the daughter 
Abigail, howe\-er, being still under the pa- 
rental roof. The parents hold meml^ership 
in the Lutheran church and give their finan- 
cial and moral support to many worthy ob- 
jects for the betterment of the community 
and the world at large. 



THEODORE LAPE. 



Among the enterprising and progressive 
citizens of Amanda is Theodore Lape, a 
dealer in furniture and house furnishing 
goods, and his business ciualifications are 
such as to have won for him prosperity and 
gained for him the confidence and respect 
of the entire commtmity. He was born' in 
Amanda township, Fairfield county, No- 
vember 3. 1856. His father, Maxsil Lape, 
was also born in the same township, his 
natal day being February 22, 1819. His 
parents were pioneer settlers of Ohio, who 
remo\-ed from Pennsylvania to Fairfield 
county abniit 18 10 and in the midst of the 
forest cleared and developed a farm, upon 
which they reared their- children. Maxsil 
became one of the early agriculturists of 
Amanda township and tlirough the years of 
his business career was engaged in the tilling 
of the soil, his labors lieing rewarded bv 



abundant harvests. He was also one of 
the most active workers and liberal contrib- 
utors of the Lutheran church, in which he 
long held membership. In the early days 
meetings were often held in his home and he 
did all in his power to spread the work of 
the gospel. Twice married he chose for his 
first wife Miss Caroline Fausnaght and unto 
them were born six children: Belle, now 
deceased :^ Simon; Monroe; David; Theo- 
dore; and Benjamin. After the death of his 
first wife Mr. Lape was again married, his 
second union being with Catherine Bailey, 
of Fairfield county, by whom he had three 
children : Edward E., Wilson C. and Verna 
E., but the first and last named have passed 
away. 

In taking up- the personal history of 
Theodore Lape we present to our readers the 
life recr-rd of one who is wicleh- and favor- 



2i: 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ably known in Fairfield county. His early 
mental training was received in the public 
schools of Amanda township and later he 
continued his education in Clear Creek 
township. He remained n]K>n the home 
farm until twenty-one years of age and upon 
starting on life's journey for himself he chose 
as a comixinion and helpmate, Miss Ella 
Kesler, their wedding l)eing celebrated in 
1882. The lady was lx)rn in Amanda town- 
ship and was a daughter of Peter and Mar\' 
( Barr) Kesler. The young couple began 
their domestic life upon a farm in Clear 
Creek township and in addition to the culti- 
vation of the fields Mr. Lape engaged in 
stock raising, following both branches of the 
business until 1886. when he removed to 
Amaiwla and established his present store 
here. He carries a large and well selected 
stock of furniture, carpets, curtain^, wall 
paper, stoves and queensware. in fact every- 
thing that is needed in fitting up a home. 
He has the latest stvle of gcKxls. which he 



sells at reasonable ])rices. and his patronage 
is already extensive and is constantly grow- 
ing. His store room is twenty-two by one 
humlred an<l twenty-seven feet aI^d every 
foot of space is utilized in accommodating 
his goods. He also owns an excellent farm 
of fifty-five acres, which is under a high 
state of cultivation. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lape have no children of 
their own, but adopted a little daughter, 
Mar\- Helen, and when she died at the age 
of five years, her loss was ven*- greatly felt, 
for they had become ven*- much attache<l to 
her. Tliey both hold meinbership in St. 
Peter's Evangelical Lutheran church of 
Amanda and are generous in their conribu- 
tions for its support and are zealous in its 
work. Mr. Lape is also a member of Center 
Star Lodge, Xo. 489. K. P. He is (lee])ly 
interested in all that pertains to the welfare 
of his community and as a public-spirited 
citizen does everything in his power to pro- 
mote public progress and imprr>vement. 



REV. GEORGE W. MECHLING, D. D. 



Rev. George W. Mechling is the pastor 
of St. Peters Lutheran church of Lancaster, 
Ohio. .\ native of Pennsylvania, he was 
Ixirn in Westmoreland county in July, 183^1. 
His lather. Rev. Jonas Mechling. was also 
a native of Pennsylvania and was reared 
and educated in Westmoreland cmuUy. The 
ancestn,- of the family can l)e traced back 
to Theobald Mechlinij. a native (^f Ba\-aria. 



who sailed from the fatherland to America 
in 1727. He laivled in Gennantown. Penn- 
sylvania, and his family was living near 
\'al!ey Forge throughoui the struggle for 
inde]>entlence. During the cami)aign of 
Washington his widow resided at Zions- 
vilie, Pennsylvania, where she spent the re- 
mainder of her life. Daniel Mechling. the 
great-grandfather of our subject, was identi- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



213. 



fied with iiiany business interests. He was 
engaged in the laanking Ixisiness, was a deal- 
er in lumber, and also followed agricultural 
pursuits. Philip Mechling, the grandfather, 
was a native of Dauphin county, Pennsyl- 
A"ania, and in later years remoA-ed to West- 
moreland county. He married Catherine 
Coder, a representative of an old colonial 
famiily of the Keystone state. 

Rev. Jonas Mechling. the father o^f the 
well known pastor of St. Peters' church, also 
devoted the best years of his life to the min- 
istry, as a minister of the Evangelical Lu- 
theran church. He married Miss Florinda 
Gressinger, a daughter of Andrew Gress- 
inger, who served with the rank of major 
in the military organization of Pennsyl- 
vania. His wife was a Miss McLaughlin, 
and her ancestors came from Scotland, be- 
longing to one of the old colonial families. 
Theobald Mechling bought land from Will- 
iam and Thomas Penn, which property de- 
scended from one generation oi the family 
to another, and as the years passed its value 
gradually increased. It lay near the cor- 
porate limits of Philadelphia and was finally 
sold in 1896. The family was prominent 
and active in public affairs in Montgomery 
county, Pennsylvania, and Theobald Mech- 
ling was one of the founders of the Luther- 
an church in Zionsville. that county. 

Rev. George W. Mechling, whose name 
introduces this record, spent his early boy- 
hood and a part of his school days in Greens- 
burg. Pennsylvania and afterward resided 
ill \\'estninreland countv. where he contin- 
ued his studies. A high .school course pre- 
pared him for college and he then came to 
Ohio, entering the Capital University at Co- 



lumbus, where he prosecuted his studies for 
fi\e years. On the e.xpiration of that period 
he began active preparations for the ministry 
as a student in the Lutheran Theological 
.Seminary, in which lie was graduated in 
1859. Soon afterward he was c:)rdainied by 
the Lutheran synod of Ohio and entered the 
ministry, his first charge being in the vicin- 
ity of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, there re- 
maining- until 1865. \n that year he ca.me 
to Lancaster, Ohio, and accepted the pastor- 
ate of St. Peter's Lutheran church, in which 
he has served continuously since, cmering 
a period of thirty-seven years. When he 
assumed charge here the congregation was 
small and somewhat scattered, but it now 
numbers about one thousand communicants. 
L-nder his leader.ship rapid and substantial 
gro\^'th has been made and the fine church' 
edifice was erected in 1883. The church in 
point of artistic design is one of the most 
attractive in this part of the state. The 
decorations are of a superior character, mod- 
eled by the best and most skilled artists and 
sculptors. M'any of the specimens were 
made in Munich, Germany, copied fn m the 
works of Thorwaldsen. They are among 
the finest of the state and the congregation 
has every reason to lie proud of this fine 
house of worship. The work of the church 
is well organized in its various departments 
and its influence is being continually ex- 
tended throughout the various aveiuies of 
reli.gious training. 

Dr. Mechling has been alily assisted in 
all his vi'ork by his estimable wife. Tn 1S60 
he was united in marriage to Miss .\manda 
Trimble, of Columbus, a native o^f Fairfield 
county and a daughter of James Trimble, 



214 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



formerly of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. This 
union has l>een blessed with five children : 
Cynis 1... a prominent clothier of Lancas- 
ter; Susan, the wife of John A. Mayer, a 
slioe merchant: Herbert T., city clerk of 
Lancaster ; Alice Matlack. an accomplished 
musician: and Elizabeth, wife of J. R. Bolen- 
baugh. of Dayton, Ohio. 

Dr. Mechling is one of the trustees of 
the Chicag-o Theological Seminary and was 
for many years president of the District 
Synod of Ohio. For a considerable period 
he served as recording secretary of the Gen- 
eral Council of the Evangelical Lutheran 
church of North America, and in 1898 the 
degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred 
upon him by Wittenburg College, of Spring- 
field, Ohio. He is widely recognized as one 



of the most eininent divines of his denomina- 
tion. In the puJpit he is logical, earnest and 
convincing, a fact which is indicated by the 
large memljership of his church. At this 
point it would be almost tautological to en- 
ter into a series oi statements as showing 
our subject to be a man of broad intelligence 
antl genuine public spirit, for these have been 
shadowed forth laetween the lines of this 
review. Strong in his individuality, he 
never lacks the courage of his convictions, 
but there are dominating elements in his in- 
dividuality a lively human sympathy and 
an abiding charity, which as taken in con- 
nection with the sterling integrity and honor 
of his character, having naturally gained for 
Dr. Mechling the respect and confidence of 
men. 



JOHN H. THIMMES. 



Faithfulness to duty and strict adherence 
to a fixed purpose in life will do more to ad- 
vance a man's interests than wealth or ad- 
vantageous circumstances. The successful 
men of the day are they who have planned 
their own advancement an<l have accom- 
plished it in spite of many obstacles and with 
a certainty that could have been attained 
only through their own efforts. This class 
of men has a worthy representative in John 
H. Thimmes, who as a member of the firm 
of Thimmes Brothers, is engaged in the 
wholesale and retail shipping and pork pack- 



ing liusiness. They are also proj)rietors of 
two meat markets in the city of Lancaster 
and the business has assumed extensive pro- 
l)ortions. calling forth keen discrimination, 
capable management and untiring industry 
in its contluct. 

JdIui H. I'himmes was lx">rn in the city 
of Lancaster, Xo\eml)er i, 1853. His fa- 
ther, >rathias Thimmes, was a native of 
Baden, Gennany. where his birth occurred 
(Ml the 24th of April, 1831. He was in his 
eleventh year when, in April, 1842, he was 
brought to the United States by his par- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



21 



ents, Xichelas and Catherine (Snider) 
Thimmes, who on crossing the .\tlantic to 
the new world took up their al>ode on a 
farm in Fairfield county, Ohio, where tliey 
resided until calletl to their final rest. 
Mathias Tliimnies, the father of our suli- 
ject, was reared upon the home farm and 
on leaving the parental roof learned the 
butcher's trade in Lancaster. He afterward 
opened a meat market in this city and in- 
connection with its management began' deal- 
ing in live stock, hogs and cattle. He car- 
ried on his own butchering and oiten bought 
and sold for parties in the east. His busi- 
ness reached quite extensive proportions, Ije- 
coming one of the leading commercial in- 
terests of this city. In August. 185 1, in 
Lancaster, iMathias Thimmes was united in 
marriage to Louise Oatney, of this city. She 
was born in Fairfield county in February, 
1832, a daughter of Benedict and Christina 
( Houserine) Oatney. She is the only sur- 
viving member of his father's family, with 
the exception of Mrs. Emma T. Sheffer, of 
Fairfield coimty. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Thimmes were born fourteen children : John 
H., of this review; Benedict, who died Au- 
gust 3, 1858; Christ C, born May 6, 1857; 
Charles X., born August 4, 1858; Louisa, 
born March 3, 1866, and no'w the wife of 
J. r. ]\li]ler. a merchant of Columbus; Will- 
iam E., a butcher, who' was born March 
22, 1862; Frank D., horn December 14, 
1863; ]\lary E., l)orn October 18, 1865; 
Sarah E., born February 12, 1867, and now 
deceased ; Maggie L., wIto was Ixirn January 
19, 1869, and is the wife of Ed. Brown, 
a merchant tailor of Indianapolis, Indiana ; 



George Mathias, 



wno was 



bi irn Novemljer 



17, 1871, and is engaged in the butchering 
business; Emma 'C,, born Deceml>er 12,. 
1873, and now the wife of Henry ]\IcLeod, 
of Danxille, Illinois; Clara Philomina, born 
March 8, 1876; an<l Joseph F., born June 
2~, 1877. The father of this family died 
in September, 1893, '^'•^'^ ^'''^ mother is still 
living. He was a Democrat in his political 
views and was a dex'out member of St. 
Mary's Catholic church, to whicli Airs. 
Thimmes and all her children and grand- 
children also belong. 

John H. Thimmes, whose name begins 
this sketch, was educated in the parochial 
schools ctf Lancaster, and at the age of 
twehe years began to assist his father iii the 
meat market, wdiich had been established in 
1848. and was conducted by his father until 
1877. (3ur subject continued to assist in 
the conduct of that enterprise as an em- 
ploye until his twenty-first year, when he 
entered into partnership with his father, the 
connection Ijeing continued for four years. 
On the expiration of that period our sub- 
ject purchased his father's interest in the 
market, continuing business alone for three 
years, when he entered into partnership re- 
lations wdth his two brothers. Christian and 
Charles W., under the firm name of 
Thimmes Brothers. They are now carrying 
on an extensive butchering business and' 
have a large building, which was erected for 
jjacking, smoking and curing of meats. 
There is also a cold storage in connection 
and the meiubers of the firm are extensive 
buyers and shippers of hogs and cattle. They 
also feed large numbers and handle annual- 
ly about thirty thousand hogs and a large 
number of export cattle, which they buy and' 



2i6 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ship to Baltimore, Maryland, their principal dence, nii)dern in all its appointments and 

hog markets being Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, supplied uilh all of the comforts and many 

and Chicago, Illinois. The business has of the luxuries which go to make life worthy 

now assumed extensive proportions and an- the living. In addition to his city property 

nuallv 1, rings to the partners a handsome Mr. Thinimes owns a tine farm of Imir 

financial return on their investments. hundred acres, where he raises cattle and 

John H. Thimmes, of this review, has hogs and where the fields are under a high 

been married three times. He first wedded state of cultivation. His life has lieen one 

Mary Bodenheimer. of Fairfield county, by of continuous activity, in which has been ac- 

whum he had seven children, namely : Lor- corded due recognition of lalx)r, and today 

■etta, Leah, Silas, Annie, John. Mary and he is numbered amoog the substantial citi- 

Rachel. There were no children by the sec- zens of his county. His interests are thor- 

ond marriage. For his third wife Mr. oughly identified with those of the north- 

Thimmes chosen Helen \\'inters. the widow west, antl at all times he is ready to lend his 

of Mr. Breslin. Our subject, his wife and aid and co-operation to any movement cal- 

children are all members of St. Mary's culated to benefit this section of the country 

Catholic church. Thcv have a \erv fine resi- or ad\ance its wonderful dexelopment. 



JOHN B. WOLFORD. 

For two-thirds of a century John 1!. his share to the county"'^ development, lie 

Wolford has been a witness of the growth now resides in Hocking township upon the 

and prosperity- of I'airfield county. Man\- Pjeck road. 

changes have occurred in that time, for the He was born one mile west of this place, 
labors of the citizens have wrought great on the <Hh of September. iS^fi. His pa- 
transformation, reclaiming the wild land for ternal grandfather spent his entire life in 
the purposes of civilization, replacing the West \'irginia. there dying :>t the advanced 
log cabins by large and substantial resi- age of ninety-one }ears. The raniily is of 
(lences; towns and villages have sprung up, (ierman descent and many of the sterling 
industries and manufactories have been in- characteristics of that race have descended 
iroduced, and on every side are seen the e\i- to our subject. Tlic.]iarents of John B. 
deuces of civilized progress and iniprow Wolfonl were Adam ;nid Jane (Slane) 
ment known to the (<lder sections of the Wdlfunl. The father was born in llani])- 
country. Mr. Wolford has taken a deep in- shire countv. West \'irginia, and after ar- 
terest in all this work and has contributed riving at vears of niaturitv wedded fane 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



217 



Slane. whose l)irth occurred in the same lo- 
cality about 1825. W'lien he was twenty- 
five years of age he left his old home and 
emigrated westward, taking up his abode 
in what is now Hocking townsliip, Fairfield 
county. Ohio. Here he purchased a tract 
of land, developed a farm and also erected 
a sawmill on Hunter's Run, that stream 
crossing his land. His place comprised 
forty-one acres and upon it he made sub- 
stantial impro\-ements, developing an excel- 
lent home for himself and family. There 
he continued to reside for forty years, being- 
engaged in farming and the manufacture of 
lumber. He was also a carpenter by trade 
and followed that pursuit to some extent, 
so that he w'as an active factor in the in- 
dustrial interests of the comnumity. At the 
age of sixty-se\en. however, he sold his mill 
and removed to Van Wert count)-, Ohio, 
where he owned property. He spent some 
years there and then returned to the old 
homestead in \\'est Virginia, making it his 
jjlace of residence until eighty-one years of 
age. when he was called to his final rest. 
He \-oted with the Democracy, and his re- 
ligious faith was indicated by his member- 
ship in the Lutheran church. His wife had 
passed away fifteen years before the death 
of her husband, dying on the home farm in 
Hocking township when sixty-seven years 
of age. She, too, was a member of the Lu- 
theran church and her Christian example 
has had a marked influence upon the lives 
of her children. Eight children were born 
unto her. but onl}- two of the number are 
now living. Norman, who was a carpenter 
by trade, died in Van Wevi countv, Ohio, 
at the age of thirty-two years. James, who 



carried on carpentering and farming in 
Hocking townshij), passed away at the age 
of thirty-two years. Margaret died in Co- 
lumbus at the age of fift}--one. Susan died 
in Hocking township at the age of twenty- 
one. Mary Ann died in infancy. Sarah 
Jane also died in infancy. Elizabeth is the 
widow of G. A. Einefrock. who was a shoe- 
maker of Columbus. Ohio. John B. com- 
pletes the family. 

Mr. Wolford, whose name introduces 
this record, acquired his early education in 
the common schools and through his youth 
assisted his father upon the home farn-i and 
in the operation of the sawmill, remaining 
under the parental roof until he had attained 
his majority. Thinking, however, to follow 
some other work than that of the fields, he 
then went to Lancaster, where he learned 
the carriagemaker's trade, w-hich he followed 
many years, and in connection with this he 
engaged in the nianufacture of hominy, hav- 
ing a mill at his home ])lace. In the latter 
enterprise he has continued for a jieriod of 
forty-one years, and he invented a mill and 
holds a patent thereon. L-i business affairs 
he is noble, reliable, prompt and energetic, 
and his strong determination enables him to 
overcome all obstacles, thus working his 
way upward to success. 

On the 2d of Alarch. 1862, Mr. Wolford 
was n-iarried in Lancaster, Ohio, to Miss 
Caroline Groves, a daughter of Andrew 
Groves, formerly a resident of Pleasant 
township. Her father was a very prominent 
and influential citizen of Eairfield county, 
his birth occurring here, and during the 
years of his business activity he was known 
as a prosperous and progressixe farmer. 



2l8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Unto Mr. and Mrs. W'olfonl were born 
eight cliildren, five of whom are living : 
Lntlier died at the age of se\en months. 
\\ illiani, who is a teaclier in the (Hstrict 
schools, makes liis home with his parents. 
He has taken quite a prominent part in local 
politics and has ser\ed as township as- 
sessor and at present is clerk of the town- 
ship. Alice is the wife of Elliott Pence, a 
merchant of Indiana, by whom she has one 
son, Wolford. Thomas is a resident farmer 
of Hocking township, living near Amand.i, 
who married Edith Kerns and had two chil- 
dren, Mabel, who died at the age of eight 
months, and Donald. l,izzie is the wife of 
Clyde Coffman, who is a mail carrier on the 
rural route. Charles died at the age of 
three years. Susan died when only a month 
old. Edward is an employe of the Hocking 
Valley Works at Lancaster. All of the 
children were born in Hocking township 



and were provided with the educational 
privileges to fit them for the practical and 
res])onsible duties of life in this hustling 
and bustling age. 

^Ir. W^olford has seen much of Fairfield 
county cleared of the timber, and the greater 
part of its impro\-ements made. He has 
done his full share in working to upbuild the 
same and is known as a representative man 
of his community. He has held the office 
of towMiship treasurer for nine years, dis- 
charging his duties most promptly and ca- 
pably. He votes with the Democracy and 
is a member of the Lutheran church. In 
business he has achieved success through 
honorable efft^rt, untiring industry and ca- 
pable management and in private life he has 
gained that warm ])ersonal regard which 
arises from true nobility of character, defer- 
ence for the opinions of others, kindliness 
and geniality. 



JOHN C. HARTMANN. 



John Christopher Hartmann, a retired 
carpenter and builder, of Lancaster, Ohio, 
was born in the kingdom of Hanover, Ger- 
many, May 31, 1834. His parents were 
William and Wilhelniina (Harding) Hart- 
ni.um, who were also natives of the .same lo- 
cality and there resided upon a farm until 
July, 1847, wdien they crossed the broad At- 
lantic to the new world, landing at Quebec, 
Canada. From that city they made their 



way to Buffalo. Xew York, thence by boat to 
Cleveland, OhicT, and up the canal to Lan- 
caster, Captain Reel being in command of 
the packet in which they completed their 
journey. They landed at Kinney's ware- 
house at the end of Maine street. The fam- 
ily consisted of father, mother and ten chil- 
dren — eight sons and two daughters. In the 
following spring the father purchcsed one 
Inmdred and sixty acres of land in Berne 




JOHN C. HARTMAN 



i 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



221 



township and with his family took up his 
abode thereon, deNOting his enei"g"ies to 
farming and stock raisnig. With the fam- 
ily came two young: mem by the name of 
John Rosemeyer and \ViIham Bush and an 
adopted daughter, Saphronia Burgess, who 
is now the wife of Valentine Myers. In the 
party were also Henry Senna, his wife and a 
son, who settled in Lancaster, ^^'illiam 
Hartmann, the father of our subject, con- 
tinued to reside upon the farm for a number 
of years, becoming one of the successful 
agriculturists of the community. In 1857 
his wife died and in 1862 he sold his farm 
and removed to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Two 
years later he returned on a visit to Lan- 
caster, and while here was taken ill and died 
in October of the sa,me year. Of their ten 
children, fi\e brothers and two sisters are 
yet living, namely : Henry, of Fort Wayne, 
Indiana: John C, of this review; Charles, a 
farmer: August; John; Wilhelmina; and 
Sophia. Those who have passed away are 
W'illiam Conrad and Frederick. 

In accordance with the laws of his na- 
tive land ]\Ir. Hartmann attended school be- 
tween the ages of six and fourteen years. 
He accompanied his parents on their emi- 
gration to the new world and remained 
upon his father's farm in Fairfield county 
until eighteen years of age, when he began 
earning his own living by working as a farm 
hand for James McKinley. After a year had 
passed he commenced learning the cabinet 
maker's trade in the shop of Charles Wagen- 
hals, of Lancaster, but this work proved too 
confining and he turned his atterrtion to car- 
pentering, which would allow him to be out 
in the open air to a greater extent. For 

12 



many years he was associated with the work 
of contracting and building, although at 
times he was identified with agricultural in- 
terests. 

After his marriage Mr. Hartmann re- 
moved to the old homestead, which had be- 
longed to his father, ini Berne township, and 
there engaged in tilling the soil until 1861, 
when he removed to the farm belonging to 
his uKithei -in-law in Hocking township. In 
18(13 he went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where 
he built a large banked barn for his brother. 
When this work was completed — and the 
barn was one of the finest in the entire coun- 
try — he entered the employ of the Pittsburg 
& Fort \\'ayne Railroad, with which he re- 
mained until October, when he returned to 
Lancaster and entered the employ of the 
Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley Railroad 
in the carpenter depaitment of the car shops, 
where he continued until 1866, and the fol- 
lowing year he began contracting and build- 
ing on his own account and also acted as 
manager in the erecting of buildings for 
other parties. He had at times from twelve 
to twenty-five men under his direction, and 
many of the substantial structures oi this 
city and the surrounding cotmtry stand as 
mmiuments to his thrift, skill and enterprise. 
In 1S73 he was elected policeman under 
Mayor Saul Schlow, under whoaii he served 
for two years, while for one year he con- 
tinued under ^Mayor Bendeum. He after- 
ward turned his .tttention to farming', own- 
ing a valuable tract of si.xty acres just out-* 
side the corporate limits of Lancaster, anil 
to its development and improvement he gave 
his attention in connection with contracting 
and building. 



222 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Hartmann has always been a stanch 
advocate of gopd roads and his efforts in 
this direction have been of great value and 
benelit to the county. He brought the sub- 
ject up before the toard of county ccmmis- 
sioners and impressed upon them the im- 
portance of having a good road or pike lead- 
ing from Lancaster to the State Farm, a dis- 
tance of six miles. This suggestion was 
adopted by the county commissioners and 
work was begun ujjon the pike and Mr. 
Hartmann was made its superintendent and 
not only directed the laljors of the men thus 
engaged but also took an active part in the 
building of the pike and is still serving as 
its superintendent. The city of Lancaster 
and Fairfield county appro^jriated the funds 
necessary for the construction of four miles 
of this pike, while the state was to appro- 
priate the means for the construclinn of the 
remaining two miles. The building of this 
road has l>een of great practical benefit to 
the citizens of this portion of the state and 
Mr. Hartmann deserves great credit for 
what he accumplished. In 1863. on his re- 
turn from the west, Mr. Hartmann joined 
the volunteer lire department, becoming a 
member of the "Old Reliance," a hand en- 
gine company. Later, when the city pur- 



chased a steamer, Mr. Hartmann became its 
first foreman. 

In 1858 was celebrated the marriage of 
our subject and Miss Caroline Boden, of 
Lancaster, a daughter of Charles and Fran- 
cis Bo<len. They became the parents of 
three children : Charles E. ; Sophia, the wife 
of E. Wagenhals : and Theodore. The 
mother died in 1892 and Mr. Hartmann was 
again married, his second union being with 
.\melia, a daughter \>f Emanuel Wagenhals. 
This marriage has been blessed with one son, 
Walter Charles, who is now si.K years of age. 
The family have a pleasant liome at Xo. 
1270 South Broad street. Mr. Hartmann is 
a Democrat in his political affiliations, en- 
dorsing the jirinciples of the jKirty as set 
forth by Andrew Jackson, and religiously is 
a member of the German Lutheran church. 
This church was established in 1847 and Mr. 
Tiartmann's father took an active part in its 
organization. The church on Chestnut street 
was erected by the members, the work being 
done free of charge, while Mr. Hartmann 
was the one who circulated the paper asking 
for assistance. He lived to .see it completed, 
and when his spirit had left its earthy tene- 
ment the funeral sermon was preached from 
its altar. 



MRS. NANCY McCLEERY. 

Mrs. Xancv McCleery has tor many friends. She was lx)rn near Hebron, in 

years resided in Greenfield townshij). her Licking county, Ohio. July 2, 1821. Pier 

home l>eing on section 2~. and throughout father, ^^artin Beaver, was a native of \'ir- 

p-airfield county she has a large circle of ginia, and was a son of Abrani Beaver. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



223 



who was boni in \'irg-inia ami clex'oted lli.■^ 
life to agricultural pursuits. He die,! in 
1824 at the age if sixty-six years, while his 
wife, Barbara Beaver, passed away in 1823, 
at the age of fifty-six years. \\'hen a young- 
man Alartin Bea\er came to Ohio, settling 
in Licking county. He married Elizaheth 
Rhoads, who was also born in the Old Do- 
minion and they took up th'eir abode on a 
farm. The father was a minister of the 
Baptist church and for several years en- 
gaged in preaching in Licking and adjoin- 
ing counties; his high moral worth, his kind- 
ly manner and other estimable ciualities, en- 
dering him to all who knew him. He died 
in his seventy-fifth year, but his memory is 
still enshrined in the hearts of many. His 
wife was a daughter of John and Catherine 
Rhoads, also natives of Virginia. Her fa- 
ther died in 1825 and her mother in 1835. 
Unto the parents of Mrs. McCleery were 
born thirteen children, ten of whoan reached 
adult age. She was the fourth child and 
second daughter and was reared in Licking 
cOiUnty, early becoming familiar with the 
duties of the household a.nd piu-suing her 
educaliiin in the comimon schools. In 1845 
she became the wife of Willianii McCleery, 
who was born in Pennsylvania. April 8. 
1804. and when eleven years of age came 
to Ohio with his i)arents, who lucated upon 
the farm which is now the hdme (f ^Irs. 
McCleery. The son was tiiere reared and 
the eflucatioiial advantages offered in the 
schools of (jreenfiekl township were eiijnyed 
by him. He first married Priscilla AlcCall 
and unto them were born four children, 
but only one is now living: Sarah, the wife 
of George A\'. Beck, of Hocking township, 



Fairfield county. The deceased are Maria, 
whii married Reason De Bait; Elizabeth, 
who married INIichael Finef.ock; Samuel 
R., who was twice married, first to Sarah 
Kemmer and second to Laura Patterson. 
He ser\e(l fi.ur years in the Ci\il war as a 
member of the Ele\enth Ohio Cax'alry, 
which was in the mountains of the west, 
fighting the Indians then engaged in their 
work of massacre and devastation. 

After the death of his first wife, Mr. 
McCleery wedded Xancy Beaver, and they 
liecanie the parents of ten children, of whom 
three daughters and two sons are }et liv- 
ing, namely : William, wIkj married Mar- 
tha Ler^nard, and makes his home in Liberty 
township: ^lartin, win: married Josie 
Baichley, and resides in Pleasantville; Pris- 
cilla, the wife of G. \\'. Xye, whoi is living in 
the state oi Washington ; and Melissa and 
Etrma, who are at home. Those deceasi 
arc: three who died in infancy; Clara, who 
1 ccan^e ]Mrs. Pressley Compton and died 
March 15. 1874. leaving one child, Ida 
Stella, who married R. J. Peters in '898, 
and they ha\-e one son, Ralpli: Mar, Alice, 
the \oungest of the fanfilj;, wliu married 
AJbert F. Turner, of Eremem, -'•lul died No- 
vember 20, 1888. . , 

Air, !McCleer}- served as .ai^ssor of his 
township and also filled the office of treas- 
urer. He was a well known and ])ronnnent 
member of the Preshyteriani church, took an 
active interest in its work and serx'cd as a 
teacher and su])erintenden,t of the Sunday- 
school of the Greenfield Presb\terian church. 
He liberally assisted in erecting the house 
of worship in that jjlace and did all in 
his power to aiKancc the welfare and c.x- 




224 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tend the influence of the church. In ix>li- 
tics he was a staiKh RqxihHcan and neither 
fear nor favor could swerve him from a 
course which he beheved to be right. He 
died August ii. 1873. respected and hon- 
ored bv ail who knew him. His widow still 



survives him and is well known in Green- 
field township, where she has so long resided. 
The circle of her friends is almost co-ex- 
tensive with the circle of her acquaintances 
and well does she deserve mention in the 
history of her adopted county. 



JOSEPH SHERBURNE. 




When a little lad of six summers Joseph 
Siierburne was brought to Fairfield coun- 
ty. More than three-quarters of a century 
have since passed and wonderful have been 
the changes which have occurred. Xo cen- 
tury in the world's history has witnessed 
such marvelous development along the line 

Commendable progress as has the nine- 
teienth, and Joseph Sherbiirne ever took a 
k«en interest in the fact that his adopted 
coiinty has kq)t in touch with the universal 
advaixemeni. His life was devoted to agri- 
cultural pursuits I in the farm where he made 
his home ".^p to the time of his death, in 
Ru>li Creek t'^wnship. His birth occur- 
red 111 Y(jrk. rtnnsylvania. October 26, 
i.SiS. His father, Henry Sherburne, was 
born in the Keystone state and with his 
family came t<> Ohio, settling in Fairfield 
county. In Pemisylvania he had married 
Miss Mar)!- Sifenl. of that state, and they 
became the parents of five children : Henry ; 
Kmanuel. wlm was killed in the Civil war: 
Harriet: Eliza; and Joseph, of this review. 
The father devoted his energies to agricult- 



ural pursuits until his life's labors were 
ended in death. He passed away in Berne 
township about two miles from the present 
home of our subject. He was a member of 
the Lutheran church. 

During the days of his Iwyhootl Joseph 
Sherburiie looked upon the log cabin homes 
wliich were a feature of the landscape of 
Fairfield county and exi>erienced the trials 
as well as the pleasures of frontier life. He 
pursued his education in a log school house, 
but his advantages in that direction were 
not of a character to compare with those 
afforded by the common-school system of 
the present time. \V'hen only alxnit eight 
or nine years of age he went to work upon 
his father's farm and to him gave the bene- 
fit of his services until about the time when 
he attained his majority, when he began 
farming on his owii account, renting land 
of his father. After his marriage he pur- 
chased eighty acres of land. Later he sold 
that property and became the owner of a 
farm close to the one uixin which his widow 
now resides. Again he purchased another 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



223 



farm and in all he had at the time of his 
death, four hundred and twenty-five acres 
of \aluable land, comprising one of the ricli- 
est fanning tracts in Fairfield county. When 
he started out in life for himself he had not 
a dollar, but he relied upon unflagging in- 
dustry and capable management to bring 
him success. He did not believe in waiting 
for opiporttmity, or for something to turn 
up, but made btisiness opportunities himself 
and through well directed efiforts he accumu- 
lated a handsome competence, thus leaving 
his family in \'ery comfortalile circum- 
stances. 

On the 22nd of March, 1840, j\Ir. Sher- 
burne was united in marriage to Miss Mary 
Lutz, a native of Perry county. Ohio. She 
was born January 17, 182 1, and with her 
parents afterward came to Fairfield county. 
Her father entered land from the govern- 
ment in this locaility. Her parents were 
John and Louisa Lutz, both natives of Mary- 
land, but thev are deceased and their chil- 



dren have also passed away w^ith the excep- 
tion of Mrs. Sherburne. 

The honiie of ?\Ir. and Mrs. Sherburne 
was blessed with nine children, namely : 
Eli, Sarah and Lydia, all deceased; John, 
who is living in Van Wert county, Ohio; 
\\'illiam, a resident of Illinois; Lavina, who 
died in infancy; Minerva, the wife of John 
Brehmer, of Circleville, Ohio ; Calvin, whi) 
is married and living in Illinois; Ella, who 
is living in Rush Creek township ; and Bell, 
the wife of William D. Krout, also-of Rush 
Creek township. Mr. Sherburne took great 
delight in providing comfortably for his 
family. He carried on general farming and 
also engaged in the raising of full-blooded 
stock. In politics he was a Republican anfl 
was a member of the United Brethren 
church. He was bonest with his fellow men, 
faithful in friendship and to home ties, and 
when called to his final rest many mourned 
his loss. He passed from this life to the 
spirit world in 1899. 



ELNATHAN S. MALLON. 



Elnathan S. Mallon is accounted one of 
the most highly respected citizens of Aman- 
da township, who is to-day as loyal to his 
country's welfare as when the rebellion 
threatened the disintegration of the Union 
and he donned the soldier's suit of blue and 
went to the south in defense of his country. 
As long as memory lasts the people of this 



nation will hold in gratitude those brave 
sons of America who fought to preserve the 
Union intact. His life history began May 
30, 1832, on which day he first opened his 
eyes to the light in the family home three 
miles west of Lancaster, his parents being 
Cyrus and Elizabeth (Myers) Mallon. The 
father was also a native of Ohio and was a 



22b 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



farmer by occupation. In 1832 he joined 
the regular army and after five years of army 
life settled in Georgia. 

Tlie mother of our subject died wlien he 
was only two days old. and he was then 
taken by an aunt to Tarlton making it his 
home until he was si.x years of age, when 
he was adopted by John AN'ilson, of Hock- 
ing county, who resided near Perry. Mr. 
Mallon then remained with Mr. Wilson un- 
til he attained the age of seventeen years. 
Avhen he started out in life on his own ac- 
count. Since that time he has been depend- 
ent entirely upon his own icsources and has 
won the ])roud American title of a self- 
made man. He learned the trade of a car- 
penter and resided in Circleville for twelve 
years, after which he emigrated westward. 
When eighteen months had passed, however, 
he returned to Ohio and liere he sought as 
a com]janion and helpmate for the journey 
of life Miss Sophia Brown, their wedtling 
being celebrated in 1856. She was also a 
native of this county and a daughter of 
Jacob Brown, a stone mason and farmer. 
The young coujjle began their tlomestic life 
upon a farm and soon afterward Mr. Mallon 
purchased his present place of residence, 
which he has made his home continuously 
since. 

Me ])ut aside all business and pers(Mial 
considerations in .August, 1 81^)2. in order that 
he might aid his country in her struggle 
to crush out tlic rchellinu in the south. He 
enlisted as a member of Company H, One 
Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry, and served until the close of the 
war. He was with Sherman at Vicksburg. 
being wounded at that place on the J.?d of 



Ma}-. He was also present at the capture 
of Arkansas Post, at the battles of Fort 
Blakely, Champion Hill, Black River and 
\'icksburg. He ever found it his most pleas- 
ant duty to faithfully tlefend the old flag 
and the cause w Inch it represented, and with 
a deep feeling of rejoicing he heard of the 
surrender of the Confederate troops, know'- 
ing that it meant the supremacy of the 
Union cause. He was mustered out at 
Houston, Te.\as, and at Columbus, Ohio, he 
received an honorable discharge. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Mallon was 
blessed with five children, three sons and 
two daughters. Mary Elizabeth became the 
wife of Robert Bell, a carpenter residing in 
Amanda town.ship, and died at the age of 
thirty-eight years, leaving three children, 
while one died in infancy. Those still liv- 
ing are: Rody, HiMiicr and Myrl. Will- 
iam f,., the second of the family, resides 
upon a farm adjoining his father's place and 
is a successful agriculturist and carpenter. 
He wedded Mary Cloud. George B., who 
resides abo\e Cedar Hill in Amanda town- 
ship, is also identified with the building in- 
dustry. He married Hattie Cupp, and they 
had two children, but Margaretta is now de- 
ceased, while Etta resides with her parents.' 
Tamt:;s W. is a carpenter of Athens. Ohio, 
and had two children, but both have passed 
away. .Annie J. is at home. All were born 
upon the old homestead in Amanda town- 
ship w ith the e.xception of the eldest daugh- 
ter, vvhose birth occurred in Circleville. 

In 190J Mr. Mallon was called upon to. 
mourn the loss of his wife, who jiassed away 
on the 14th of January of that year at the 
age ni sixly-tive years, ten months and four- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



227 



teen flays. Slie was most de\'ote<l to lier 
family and their welfare, and her nianv 
splendid qualities won her the respect, es- 
teem and warm friendship of all with whoii^ 
she became acquainted. .She was a memlier 
of the Evangelical Association. Mr. ]\Iallc m 
belonged to the Grand .Vrniy Post while the 
post was maintained in Amanda. In pol- 
itics he is a Republican and has held some 
local ofiices, including that of assessor. It 



has not taken the excitement and dangers 
of warfare to bring out the courageous spirit 
and unfaltering loyalty of our subject, for 
he has ever been a citizen of worth to his 
communit}-, interested in everything pertain- 
ing to the general good. His existence has 
covered seven decades, and throughout that 
long period he has ever enjoyed the trust 
of his fellow men and merited their high 
regard. 



JOHN KOCHER. 



John Kocher, now deceased, was one of 
the early settlers and highly esteemed citi- 
zens of Fairfield county. He was born in 
Cumberland county, Pennsyh'ania. and 
wlien but a small bov was brought to Ohio 
b}' his father. Peter Kucher, the latter also 
a native of Pemisylvania. The father to^ik 
up his abode in Circleville, Pickaway coun- 
Xy. where he Ii\'eil for a number of years and 
then removed to Lockburn, where he died at 
an adxanced age. He was a prosperous and 
progressive man and his energetic labors en- 
abled him to provide well for his family. 
He was twice married and his first wife died 
in the Keystone state, but the second wife 
sur\ived him for a number of years. 

Jijhn Kocher, whose name introduces this 
record, remained with his father until he 
attained his majorit)', and the schools of 
Pickaway county afforded him his educa- 
tional iiri\"ileges. In his youth he learned 



the mason's trade, which he followed until 
his marriage, after which he came to Fair- 
field county and settled in Clear Creek town- 
ship, locating on a farm which was given 
to him and his wife by his father-in-law. 
The tract comprises one hundred twenty- 
two acres of rich land, up(jn which' Mr. 
Kocher made all of the improvements, erect- 
ed a large and pleasant frame house and 
built substantial barns and other outbuild- 
ings, adding the latest improved machinery 
and all modern equipments. His attention 
was given to' the cultivation of the si il and 
raising of stock luitil his death. His labors 
were so discerningly directed that he won a 
most desirable competence. 

Mr. Kocher was married to ^liss Annie 
Pontius, who was born December 15, 1839, 
in Pickaway county, Ohio, the daughter of 
Daniel and Mary ( Metzker) Pontius. Her 
father was a native of Pennsxivania and re- 



228 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



moved to Ohio, settling in Pickaway coun- 
ty, where he spent his remaining days, pass- 
ing away at the age of sixty-six years. His 
wife died at the age of sixty-eight. Unto 
^Ir. aixl Mrs. Koclier were born eleven chil- 
dren, ten of whom are still living. Daniel, 
a farmer residing in Clear Cre^k township, 
married Miss Catherine Bowman. Mary 
Ann is with her mother. John, who resides 
on the home farm, married Pauline Reigle. 
a daughter of George Reigle. and tlie\- have 
two sons: William Allen and Ir\in Leroy. 
Catherine died at the age of four years. 
Artimesia is living with her mother. Syl- 
vester, who resides in Clear Creek town- 
ship and is a farmer there, married Miss 
Jennie B. Thomas, daughter of Reuben 
Thomas, and they have ten chiklren : John 
R., of Circleville, who married Miss Ida 
Thomas and has one child, Ida Mabel : Ed- 
wiard : Minnie, tlie wife of Edward Cool, by 
whom she has two children; Theodore; 
Betta, the wife of William Hedge; Robert; 
Russell J ; Emmett ; Bruce ; and one who died 
in infancy. \\'illiam. who carries on agri- 
cultural pursuits in Clear Creek township, 
married Jerusha Cornelia Koldren, a daugh- 
ter of .\ndrew and Betsey Koldren. and they 



ha\e two sons, Calvin Elsworth, a carpen- 
ter of Columbus, Ohio, who married Jennie 
Spangler, daughter of Daniel Spangler ; and 
Charles. Peter is a farmer of Pickaway 
county, who married Mahala Garrett, and 
they have four girls : Melva X.. the wife of 
.\mos Kleiner, of Seneca coi.nty; Xora ; 
Laura and Kate, at home. George W., who 
carries on agricultural pursuits in Clear 
Creek township, married Catherine Stout, 
daughter of Henrv and Susan Stout, and 
they had three children. Nettie and Hidda, 
both deceased, and Ora. Isadell is at home. 
Marilda is the wife of Charles E. Conrad, a 
.son of Wesley Conrad, and they reside in 
Clear Creek township with their only child, 
Kirhy Allen. 

Mr. Kocher died in 1880, at the age of 
sixty-four years, two months and twelve 
days. 'He was a Democrat in politics and 
was a member of the .Mlbright church. His 
life record was at all times commendable, for 
he was straightforward in all his dealings, 
reliable in friendship and devoted to his fam- 
ily. He was laid to rest in Maple Hill ceme- 
tery in Clear Creek township, his death 
being deeplv nuturned by all wli<i had 
known him. 



THOMAS WETZLER. 

I'or nearly thirty years 'i'homas Wetzler nineteenth century and has since heen in 

was the editor and proprietor of the Ohio continuous publication. Mr. Wetzler was 

Eagle, one of the few journals of this state born on a farm near Lancaster, Pennsyl- 

tliat were eslajjlislicd in tlie ilawn of the \ania. on the njth of Eebruary. iSjg, and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



229 



at an early age came to Ohi(T with his par- 
ents. They traveled overland, our subject 
taking- his turn in driving" the team and 
assisting in the various duties when the little 
party encamped along the roadside for the 
night. It was a wearisome and tedious trip, 
for the roads were in poor condition, but the 
experiences encountered in that ji:)urney 
proved a splendid schooling to the boy in 
later battles of life. The family reached 
Fairfield county and soon afterward the fa- 
ther died, so that upon the mother de\-oh-ed 
the difficult task of rearing and educating 
her children, including several sons and 
daughters, but bravely she undertook the 
work, and her children ever acknowledge 
their deejj gratitude to her for what she 
accomplished. 

.After acquiring a ccjmmon school edu- 
cation Thomas W'etzler obtained employ- 
n^ent in the office of the Lancaster Gazette, 
where he received his first instructions in the 
printing trade. In 184CJ he went to Cin- 
cin.'nati, Ohio, and \\i rked on the Gazette of 
that citv until the summer of 1850, when he 
remiox'ed to Columlnis, Ijeing emjiloyed in 
various printing estal.ilishments of the capi- 
tal city for some time. During the '60s 
be was superintendent of a large printing- 
house O'f Richard Nevins, who for a nun-iber 
nf years bad the contract for the state print- 
ing and possessed what was at that time one 
of the most complete plants of the kind in 
the ftate. In 1870 Mr. \\'etzler returned to 
Lancaster and purchased an interest in the 
Ohio Eagle, a paper \vhicli bad been estab- 
bshed in iBoQ. In the fall of 1870 he took 
up his abode in Lancaster and his con-ipre- 



bensive and accurate knowledge of the 
printing trade enabled him to place the Eagle 
in the foremost ranks among Ohio's jour- 
nals in a very short time. The busiiiess of 
the office had quadrupled and the period of 
his connection with the paper was one of 
prosperity. In the spring of 1890, in con- 
nection with his son, Edward Wetzler, he 
established the Lancaster Daily Eagle, and 
in its editorial work he took an active part 
until the year 1896, when be suffered a 
stroke of paralysis which incapacitated hin-i 
for further labor. On the 23d of March, 
1899, a second stroke terminated his life. 
He had for many years occupied a leading 
and honored position in jiturnalistic circles 
and his eft'orts in behalf of the city of Lan- 
caster through the columns of bis paper 
largely promoted its progress and growth 
in many lines of substantial improvement. 
Mr. Wetzler was united in n-iarriage to 
Laura Wilkinson and they ])ecame the par- 
ents of four sons and three daughters, but 
George, the eldest, died in the fall of 1879. 
The living children are Charles; John; Ed- 
ward: Mrs. C. O. Wells, of New York city; 
Mrs. C. P. Wisemau:; and Fannie \\'etzler. 
In bis political views Mr. \\'etzler was a 
Democrat. He took a very active interest in 
]jolitics and many times .served as a delegate 
to convcntii>ns. In ]888 be was chosen as 
the district delegate to the national Demo- 
cratic convention at St. Louis and four years 
before that was alternate-at-large to the con- 
\ention which first nominated Hon. Grover 
Clevelanil for the presidency, .\ltbougb bis 
school privileges were somewhat limited, his 
reading was broad and comprcbensi\-e and 



230 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lie kq)t well informed on the questions and his effi-rts in behalf of Lancaster for the 

issues of the day and on all matters of gen- social, material, intellectual and moral 

eral interest. He had a keen insight which gmwtli were important and of far-reaching 

enal)led him to recognize possibilities and effect. 



JACOB L. ROPP. 



Jacob L. Ropp, who is connected with 
the farming and stock-raising interests of 
Fairfield county and is also identified with 
banking circles, was bom near Little George- 
town, West \'irginia, on the ist of July, 
1849, his parents being Jacob and Catharine 
(Riner) Ropp, lx)th of whom were natives 
of Berkley county. West \'irginia, where 
they sjyent their entire lives. The paternal 
grandfatiier of our subject was Solomon 
Ropp. a native of German), wlm nn crossing 
the Atlantic to America settled. in West \'ir- 
ginia, altliough tiiat state then formed a imrt 
of the Old Dominion. He was a farmer, 
successfully carrying on the wirk of his 
fields, and was a prominent and influential 
citizen. About 1805 he was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Mary Yeasley. a daughter ( f 
Michael and Mott Liana Yeasley, wh ) were 
also born in Gennany, and on their emigra- 
tion to the new world in 1734 located in Jef- 
ferson county, West Virginia. With a num- 
Ijer of otlier Germans Michael Yeasley l;u ! 
out a town on the south bank of the Potomac 
and named it Mechlenburg, by which nrune 
it continued to be called until 1760, when it 
was changed to Shepherdstown. Although 
a town of onlv seventeen hun<lrcd inhab- 



itants it has the proud distinction of furnish- 
ing three governors to Ohio — Tiffin, Mor- 
row and Worthington, who were all torn 
there — and aLso five members of congress — 
Morrow, Baker, Swearingen, Bedinger and 
Boteler. Michael Yeasley was a weaver by 
trade and by industry and perseverance made 
a success of his business. He bnilt a sul> 
stantial brick house one-hali mile west of 
Shepherdstown which is still standing, and 
there he reared a family of nine daughters, 
all of whom married but one. The married 
daughters were Mrs. Hill, Mrs. \\'elshans, 
Mrs. Staley, Mrs. Bowen. ^Irs. Sheets. Mrs. 
Cookus, Mrs. Ropp and Mrs. Brotmarkel. 
L'nto Solomon Ropp and wife were born 
eight children, three sons and five daugh- 
ters, who in order of birth were as follows : 
Mary Magdalene, who married John Miller; 
Daniel, who married Nancy Small : Cath- 
arine, who became the wife of Jacob Lingam- 
teJter; Elizal>eth, who married Jacob Cox; 
Hannah, who married David Hoffman ; 
Solomon, who wedded Mary Folk; Jacob, 
father of our subject ; and ALirgaret, who 
married Mr. Hedges. .\!1 remained near 
the old homestead tiiroughout life with ex- 
ception of Margaret, who after her marriage 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



233 



renio\-ed tn Missouri and tliere spent her 
remaining dajs. The father of these chil- 
dren engaged in farming about one mile 
north of the original Ropp homestead and 
there reared his family. 

After arriving at years of maturity, 
Jacob Ropp, the father of oiu^ subject, de- 
voted liis attention to agricultural pursuits 
and met with creditable success in his chosen 
vocation. In 1840 he married Miss Cath- 
arine Riner. a daughter of Peter and Ann 
]\Iarie ( Lingamfelter) Riner, who were 
married about 1808. Her mother liad been 
married previously, her first husband being 
a Mr. Hoffman. Her father owned a large 
tract of land in Back Creek valley, near 
Jones Spring, and was engaged in tilling the 
soil. He served his country in arms during 
the war of 181 2 and later purchaseil a farm 
six miles north of Martinsburg, \\'est Vir- 
ginia, in the Shenandoah A'allc}-, where he 
made his home for several years, and then 
gave it tO' his eldest son. buying a large tract 
of land at Little Georgetown on the Potomac 
ri\er. twelve miles west of Shepherdstown. 
There he spent his remaining days in a huge 
limestone house where our subject was born 
and reared.' In the Riner family were five 
children, two sons and three daughters, 
namely: Henry, who married Eliza Couch- 
man: Mary, who ne\er married: Elizabeth, 
who married George Sperow ; Catharine, 
mother of our subject ; and David, who mar- 
ried Margaret Flagg.- Eight children were 
born to Jacob and Catharine (Riner) Rop]). 
namely: John Peter, who died ynung: 
I\Iary Eliza, who married CieorgeT. Sperow. 
of Bell Point. Ohio: Emilv Catharine, who 



married Henry Gwilliems; Daniel Henry, 
who married Jennie Smith; Jacob Luther, 
whose name introduces this review; Sarah 
Elizabeth, who married Samuel Le Fevre 
Dodd; Margaret, who died in infancy; and 
Martha Jane, unmarried. The father of this 
family died on the 4th of March. 1882. at 
the age of sixty-four years, and the mother 
passed away on the 29th of April, 1893, at 
the age of seventy-nine. In political circles 
Jacob Ropp was an active factor, doing 
e\-ery thing in his jiower to promote the 
growth and insure the success of the Repub- 
lican party, and upon its ticket was elected 
county treasurer in 1865 and a member of 
the state legislature of \Vest Virginia in 
1868. 

Jacob L. Ropp, our subject, came from 
West Virginia to Fairfield county, Ohio, in 
the year 1894 and purchased his present 
farm of Melancthon Solt. He had acquired 
his educatit)n in the [niblic schools of his na- 
ti\-e state and throughout his life has been 
identified with farming and stock raising. 
Here he is conducting the same line of work 
and is to-day the owner of a \-aluable tract 
of land in Bloom township, lieing accounted 
one of the most successful and progressive 
farmers of the community. He has also 
lieen identified with banking interests. He 
was one of the organizers of the Citizens 
National Bank at Martinsburg, West Vir- 
ginia, and served as one of its directors until 
1893. 

On the loth of Octolier, 1876. ]\Ir. Roi)p 
was joined in wedlock to Miss Eliza Jane 
Anderson, a daughter of David and Mary 
(Speck) .\nderson, whose parents came to 



234 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



this country from tlie nortli of Ireland or 
Scotland and located at Welsh Run, Penn- 
sylvania. In early life her father followed 
the wagon maker's trade. After his mar- 
riage he removed to Clear Spring, Mary- 
land, and in 1857 became a resident of Berk- 
ley county, West Virginia, where he en- 
gaged in farming, but his last days were 
spent near Iledgesville. that state, where he 
died Februar\- 1 1, 1892, at the age of eighty- 
two years. His wife survi\ed him and 
pas.sed away Februan,- i, 1901, at the very 
advanced age of ninety years. They were 
the parents of six daughters, as follows : 
Margaret Ann; Elizabeth, wife of George 
Newkirk; Catharine, wife of Ernest \\"aern- 
icke; Eliza Jane, wife of our subject: 
Susan Bell ; and Florence Speck. The chil- 
dren lx>rn to Mr. and Mrs. Ropp were Clar- 



ence, who was accidentally drowned while 
bathing in the lake at Buckeye Park on the 
31st of August, 1895, at the age of seven- 
teen years; Nora Bell; Mary Catharine; 
Ethel \'irginia ; and Eliza Gilmore, all at 
home. 

The family hold membership in the 
I.ithupolis Presbyterian church and Mr. 
Ropp is quite ])rominent in political circles, 
having Ijelonged to the Reiniblican executive 
committee of Berkley county, West Vir- 
ginia, for four years and still taking an act- 
ive part in advancing the success of the 
party in this county. His life has l^een act- 
ive, useful and honorable. an<l although his 
residence in Fairfield county covers hut a 
comparative brief period he is already wideb- 
and favorably known as a progressive and 
representative citizen. 



MRS. MARY ELIZABETH REESE. 



Tlie life tenure of Mrs. Mary I-!lizal)Cth 
Reese covered a most impnrtant peril k1 in 
the history of the country. She jiassed tiic 
eighty-eighth milestone on life's journey, 
and while wnman does not figure promi- 
nently in pul)lic affairs and therefore lives 
the quiet life of the home she nevertheless 
exerted an influence which had its bearing 
upon the nation s history. She was the eld- 
est si.ster of John and W. T. Sherman, the 
former one of the must celebrated states- 
men; the other one I if the must di^tineuished 



military commatulers whose name graces the 
annals of America. Through her close cnn- 
ncction with one of the most prominent fam- 
ilies of America she kept in constant touch 
with public events and the nation's progress, 
and her influence, though quietly exerted, 
was nevertheless potent in shaping events of 
far-reaching influence. In social circles of 
Lancaster she was long a leader. Her en- 
tire life was here passed with the exce])tion 
of ten years spent in Philadelphia. 

Her l)irth occurreil in Lancaster on the 



I 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



235 



2ist of April, 1812, her father being Charles 
R. Sherman. From the time of her mar- 
riage, which occurred when she was seven- 
teen years of age, she was a leader in so- 
ciety in Lancaster, known to all of its peo- 
ple and highly esteemed and honored. Her 
true womanly qualities, superior culture, 
learning and innate refinement, combined 
with sympathy and tact, early gained for 
her a position in Lancaster which was even 
strengthened as the years went by, and the 
impress of her individuality yet remains 
upon the cultured life of Lancaster. 

When her brother, General W. T. Sher- 
man, afterward the hero of many a battle 
and the loved commander of a great army, 
but then broken in spirit and much distressed 
on account of cruel and unjust treatment, 
came to Lancaster on a furlough, after he 
had been relieved by Secretary Cameron on 
the plea that he was either drunk or crazy, 
she vvas the one to whom he went for sym- 
pathy, and it was her faith in his ability 
that fortified him and gave him the encour- 
agement that induced him to return to the 
army, where he was destined to rise to high 
honors and fame. But Mrs. Reese never 
forgave Cameron for the injury to her 
brother, and at the marriage of her neice 
to Don Cameron she declined to be escorted 
by the Secretary, notwithstanding he had 
apologized for the treatment of the General. 

In the old homestead, a part of which, 
now modernized, still stands on the hill, be- 
tween the residences of E. B. White and 
Philip Rising, the home in wliich her broth- 
ers and sisters were reared, Mary Elizabeth 
Sherman was married in her seventeenth 
year to William J. Reese, a wealthy j-oung 



lawyer of Philadelphia, who had begun the 
practice of his profession in Lancaster. The 
courtship which resulted in this marriage 
furnishes one of the pretty legends associated 
with historic Mount Pleasant, a unique pile 
of rocks on the northern boundary of the 
city. The popular version of the story is 
that Miss Sherman, to test the lover's cour- 
age and affection, sprang from the face of 
the bluff, which rises two hundred feet and 
more from the base, and was immediately 
followed by Mr. Reese. Alighting on the 
declivity many feet below, both were saved 
trom injury, and immediately she gave her 
"promise true" to the brave young fellow. 
Somewhat short of the romance, the in- 
cident, as related by Mrs. Reese, was as fol- 
lows : One afternoon she was induced by 
some of her school friends to play truant 
and the bevy ascended Mount Pleasant, 
where they were wandering about when 
they chanced to encounter a party of young 
men, among whom was Mr. Reese, who at 
that time was paying marked attention to 
Miss Sherman. Not wishing to meet her 
admirer, she started on a run to evade them, 
her foot slipped on the verge of the prec- 
ipice and over she went, landing a few feet 
below on a ledge of rock, where she lay 
unconscious. Young Reese noticed her dis- 
appearance and sprang after her, and by the 
aid of the others lifted her back to the plane 
above, and she was assisted home in a semi- 
conscious condition. When medical aid 
was summoned it was found that the teeth 
of her old-fashioned tortoise shell comb had 
been driven their length under the scalp and 
broken off, necessitating the use of a knife 
for their removal. The young lady was 



236 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



badly bruised by the fall, but was otherwise 
uninjured. A piece of her dress, which was 
torn off in her descent, was picked up by her 
rescurer and preserved for years as a cher- 
ished memento. The heroine of this little 
escapade gave her hand in marriage to her 
rescurer, developed into a Avoman of splen- 
did graces of character which endeared her 
to all and the ties of respect, friendship and 



love strengthened as she approached a beau- 
tiful old age. She reached the age of eighty- 
eight years, passing away in 1 900. A chap- 
ter of the Daughters of the American Revo- 
lution has been named in her honor. In 
Lancaster, where she so long resided, her 
memory is still enshrined in the hearts of 
all who enjoyed the pleasure of her friend- 
ship. 



JOHN J. SILBAUGH. 



John J. Silhaugh. who is engaged in the 
practice of medicine and surgery in Lancas- 
ter, is numbered among Ohio's native sons, 
his birth having occurred in the city of 
Ironton, Lawrence^ county, in January. 
i860. His fati?fer, William Silbaugh, was 
a nativToTTTcrmany, while his mother, who 
bore the maiden name of Mary Everleigh, 
was born in Virginia. They were among 
the early settlers of Lawrence county, and 
the father was a weaver by trade. 

In the place of his nativity Dr. Silbaugh 
si)cnt the days of his boyhood and youth, 
and mastered the branches of learning 
taught in the graded and high schools 
there. When it came time to make choice 
of a calling which he wished to make his life 
work iTe determined to enter the medical pro- 
fession and i)ursue(l liis early studies under 
the direction of Drs. Maurice and \\ilson, 
Ixjth prominent physicians of Ironton. His 
more advanced reading was pursued in 
Bellevue Hospital in New York city, where 



he was graduated with the class of 1886. 
He then returned to Ohio and entered upon 
the practice of his chosen vocation and at 
once located in the town of Royalton, Fair- 
field county, \\here lie remained for ten 
years, w hen seeking a broader field of labor 
he removed to Lancaster, and has since been 
known as a cajiable, discriminating and earn- 
est member of cbc medical fraternity. He 
is very accurate in diagnosing disease and 
anticipatiiig the outcome of com])lications. 
He has now a large and lucrative practice 
among the best class of people here and his 
labors are bringing to him a desirable finan- 
cial return. 

In 1886 the Doctor was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Margaret \\'elch. of Ironton. 
and unto them \\ere Ijorn a son and daugh- 
ter, Carl and Mary. The mother died in 
i8<jj and four years later the Doctor was 
again married, his second union being with 
tiertrndc Williams, of Royalton, a daughter 
of h"letcher Williams. They also have two 



I 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



237 



children : Ray and Hnglies. Their hos- 
pitable home is a favorite resort with many 
friends, and the Doctor is also a valued rep- 
resentative of the Masonic fraternit}-. He 
l)eli)no-s to the blue lodge, chapter and com- 
mandery, and is also identified with the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. 



In the line of his profession he is connected 
with the Ohio State Medical Society and 
the American ]\Iedical Association. His 
strict reg'ard for professional ethics, his 
liri)ad humanitarian principles, his unfailing- 
courtesy and genial manner, all coml)ine to 
make him a successful and prosperous physi- 
cian whose high reputation is well merited. 



GEORGE W. WYGUM. 



George W. \\'ygum, who carried on gen- 
eral farming on section 24, Greenfield town- 
ship, is of German lineage. His father, 
George \V. W'ygum, was horn in Baden, 
German}', and when eight years of age ac- 
companied his parents on their emigration 
to the new world. They landed in New 
York, thence made the'r way tO' Pittsburg, 
and from the latter city proceeded by boat 
to Cincinnati. They continued their jour- 
ney through the state, seeking a favorable 
location, and two men, representing them- 
selves as having land to sell, induced ]\Ir. 
Wygum to accompany them to inspect the 
property. When they had gone some dis- 
tance from the settlement they robbed him 
of all his niony, but fortunately his wife had 
five hundred dollars. Returning to his 
famil)-, he then started with them for a Ger- 
man .settlement in Rush Creek township, 
Fairfield county, and Iiere he purchased a 
tract cif land. 

The son, George \V. \\\v,gum. Sr., was 



brnuid out upon a farm to work for his board 
and clothing and was also to be allowed the 
pri\i!ege of attending school during the win- 
ter months. Being ambitious, he improved 
e\-ery opportunit}-, and by the time he was a 
young man had a good education for those 
days. He afterward engaged in teaching 
school with considerable success. Having 
learned the trade of a baker and confec- 
tioner, he established a baker\- and grocerv 
stijre in Lancaster, where he soon secured a 
\er\- liberal patronage and made money 
nipidly. His surplus fund he invested in a 
farm in Pleasant township and thus became 
a factor in agricultural interests in the 
ci.iunty. 

After the inauguration of the Civil war, 
however, he manifested his loyalty tn his 
adii|)ted land and ga\-e proof of his patriotic 
spirit by enlisting in the Si.xty-first Regiment 
of Ohio Volunteers, with which he serxed 
as c|uartermaster until the close of hostil- 
ities. He then went to Nashville. Tennes- 



238 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



see, and established a furniture store, but 
after a few years he sold his business there 
and returned to his home farm in Pleasant 
township, Fairfield county. After a short 
period had elapsed he sold this property and 
once more removed to Lancaster, where he 
remained for two years. He then purchased 
one hundred and sixty-six acres of land on 
section 24, Greenfield township, and contin- 
ued its operation throughout his remaining 
days, passing away on the 20th of Decem- 
ber, 1894, respected by all who knew him. 
When a young man Mr. \\'\guni had 
married Margaret Geil, a daughter of 
Christian Geil. a German of Rush Creek 
township. They l>ecame the parents of 
twelve children, of whom two died in in- 
fancy ; two of the .sons went to the soutli 
to seek their fortunes, but no tidings were 
ever after received from them. Mary is the 
wife of William Fetters, a resident farmer 
of Pleasant township; George \\'., our sub- 
ject, is tlic second in order of l)irth; Mar- 
garet married John Fetters and their home 
is also in Pleasant township: Elizabeth 
married William Stahl, of Lancaster ; 
Charles is upon a part of the old family 
homestead; Kate is the wife of John Fitzer 



and they now reside in Urbana, Ohio ; 
Emma became the wife of Scott Keste, and 
lives in Columbus, Ohio; W'illiam follows 
carpentering in Lancaster; Frederick D., a 
graduate of Starling Medical College, of 
Columbus, Ohio, was engaged in the prac- 
tice of medicine in Maxville, this state, at 
the time of his death, which occurred July 
23, 1S90. 

George W. Wygvim, Jr., has never mar- 
ried. He managed the farm for his mother 
until her death, and since that time has con- 
tinued to operate it for the family. Close 
ties of fraternal regard bind the members 
of the Wygum family and representatives of 
the name have ever been people of sterling 
worth, enjoying in a high degree the confi- 
dence and respect of all with whom they 
ha\e been associated. The father was a 
very ]>roininent and influential man. Of 
marked business ability, keen foresight and 
executive ability, he carried forward to a 
successful completion whatever he under- 
took, and while winning prosperity for him- 
self he also faithfully performed his duties 
of citizenship and co-operated in many 
movements and measures for the general 
good. 



THOMAS H. DILL. 



To the energetic natures and strong men- pcrity of the Democratic party in this state, 

tality of such men as Thomas H. Dill, who and in the hands of this class of citizens 

has been an active member of the state legis- there is every assurance that the best inter- 

lature, is due the success and increasing pros- ests and welfare of the party will be attended 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



241 



to. Given to the prosecution of active meas- 
ures in political affairs and possessing the 
earnest purpose of placing their party be- 
yond the pale of possible diminution of 
power, the Democratic leaders are putting 
forth e\-ery effort to promote their party's 
strength. One of the leading representatives 
in this portion of Ohio' is Mr. Dill, who 
throughout his life has been a loyal citizen, 
imbued with patriotism and fearless in de- 
fense of his honest convictions. 

^Ir. Dill was born in Kent county, Dela- 
ware, February 7, 1839, a son of Philemon 
and Rel^ecca ( Hurd) Dill, the former- a na- 
tive of Kent county and the latter of Caro- 
line count}-, ^laryland. The Dill family is of 
Scotch-Irish origin and the first Oif the name 
in this count}- were William, John and Ab- 
ner. The old family homestead in Maryland 
has been in possession of the faniily for 
almost twoi centuries, the first transfer of the 
property being on record in 1705. The tract, 
comprising three hundred acres, has never 
been out of the name. The original Golden 
Grove estate compriseil twelve hundred acres 
John Dill, the grandfather of our subject, 
was a native of Caroline county, Maryland, 
and the maternal grandfather was Thomas 
Hurd, a farmer of Kent county, Delaware, 
whose father, W^illianr, was a Revolutionary 
soldier, while Thomas Hurd served his coun- 
try in the war of 1812. 

Mr. Dill, whose name introduces this re- 
ord, spent the first seventeen years of his life 
in the state of Delaware and then came to 
Ohio, where he entered Oberlin college, 
spending two years as a student in that in- 
stitution, pursuing his studies through the 

13 



winter months, while in the smnmer he fol- 
lowed farming. He also took up the study 
of law, which he followed for two- years, 
but preferring agricultural work, he aban- 
doned preparation for the legal profession. 
For eight years he resided in Morrow coun- 
t}-, Ohio, where he owned and cultivated one 
hundred acres of land. In 1866 he came 
ti) Fairfield county, but after a year returned 
to Morrow coimty, li\'ing- itpoii the old 
homestead farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres, belonging to his wife. When six 
years had passed he removed to^ Westerville, 
Franklin county, Oliio, where he remained 
for four years and in 1877 took up his 
aljode in Bloom township, Fairfield count}'- 
upon a farm which remained his place of 
residence for ten years. 

Mr. Dill has been very prominent in po- 
litical affairs, as a leader of the Democratic 
party. In 1888 he was elected on its ticket 
to represent his district in the general as- 
sembl}- by a majority of fourteen hundred 
and fifty and served so capably that in 1890 
he was re-elected by an increased majority, 
amounting to eighteen hundred and fifty- 
six. During his term he was an instigator 
of important moveiuents and was instru- 
mental in securing the success of the local 
option bill for the state of Ohio. By his 
\-ote for this measure he subjected himself 
to the danger of being ostracised by his 
party. He was the chosen delegate from 
Ohio' to the western council congress, which 
met in Kansas City, April 14, 1891, and 
was made chairman of the committee on or- 
ganization, composed of seven members, 
who' had the power of appointing the speak- 



242 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



er of the house and Daniel R. Frances was 
cliosen. During his legishitive career ^Ir. 
Dill was chairman of the agricultural com- 
mittee and served on other important com- 
mittees. He has been president of the school 
board of Bloom township for several years 
and for a period of six years was mayor 
of Lithopolis, his administration being prac- 
tical, progressi\e and business-like, and 
giving eminent satisfaction. 

In 1858 Mr. Dili was united in marriage 
to Miss Marian, a daughter of Piiilemon and 
Jane (Needles) Harris. Their living chil- 
dren are: Willard, a resident of Lafayette, 
Indiana: Philemon C, of Harrisburg. Ohio; 
and Nellie, who is a teacher of Columbus. 
One daughter, Eravelda, died in 1877 at the 
age of eighteen years. Mrs. Dill is a repre- 
sentative of one of the oldest families of 



Fairfield county. George Needles came to 
Bloom township, this county, from Dela- 
ware in 1803, and the following year made 
a permanent location. In 1806 he was the 
first tax payer of the county and the First 
Methodist Episcopal church in the county 
w as organized in his home. He took an act- 
ive interest in public progress and advance- 
ment and his ciiforts contributed in a large 
measure to the general welfare. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Dill hold membership in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church and are people of 
the highest respectability, their circle of 
friends being almost co-extensive with their 
circle of acquaintances. His entire freedom 
from ostentation or self-laudation has made 
him one (if the popular citizens of Fairfield 
CDunty, with whose histoo' he has now been 
long and i)rominently identified. 



LOUIS ROSEY. 



Ixiuis Rosev. a wholesale dealer in 
licjuors at Lancaster, was l)orn in the city of 
Boston. Massachusetts, in 1859. lie was 
educated in Seymour. Indiana, to which 
l)lace he removed with his parents. Abner 
and Bertha ( Mode) Rosey. For a number 
of years his father was engaged in mer- 
chandising in Sexiiiour, but later in life re- 
mt)ved lo Si. Louis, Missouri, where he spent 
his remaining days, his death occurring in 
iRqO. His wife is still living in her sev- 
entv-first vear. In their family were four 



sons: Louis, of this review; ^Jax, a whole- 
sale merchant; and Ily and Samuel, who 
are in business in Cinciimati and are i)r(,)S- 
perous citizens. 

.\fter completing the liigh school course 
in Seymou.r, Indiana, Mr. Rosey, of this 
review, entered upon his l)usiness career, 
being first cniployeil in a dry goods and 
clothing store as a salesman, ^^'hen his 
diligence and economy had brought to him 
sufficient capital he embarked in business on 
his own account, anil in 1889 he canie to 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



243 



Lancaster, where he began merchandising 
at No. 164 \\'est Main street, making a spe- 
cialty of Kentucky rye whiskies, and also rye 
whisk\- manufactured in Pennsylvania. 

In 18S2 he married Miss Clara W'ernke. 
of Cincinnati, in which city she was born 
and reared. Her parents were natives of 
Cxermanv and for nianv vears resided in 



Cincinnati. In his political views Mr. Rosey 
is a ]3emocrat and fraternally is connected 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
and the Bene\'olent and Protective Order of 
Elks, and the Royal .\rcanum. He has 
gained a wide ac(|uaintance in Lancaster and 
in his business interests is meeting with 
much success. 



WASHINGTON MAGEE, 



When the tocsin of war sounded it awak- 
■ened the patriotism of brave men throughout 
the north. They came from the work-shops, 
from the fields, they came from their of- 
fices and counting rooms imbued with one 
desire — to preser\-e the L^nion at whate\-er 
personal sacrifice it might cost. Washing- 
ton INIagee was among the number who 
took his place beside the standard of the 
nation and fought valiantly in its defense. 
He is now living a retired life in the \il- 
lage of Oakland, Fairfield county, where he 
has long made his home, respected by ail 
who know him. His birth occurred in Tarl- 
ton, Pickaway county, February 19, i8i(). 
his parents being George W. and Catherine 
Magee. The father conducted a ta\-ei-n dui'- 
ing the greater i)art of his life. His deatli 
occurred in 'J'arlton at the age of sixty-twn 
years, while the mf ither of our subject passed 
away in Circleville, l)ut was lai<l to rest bv 
the side of her husband in the former place. 
She -was the mother of twelve children, four 
of wiirim are \t\. li\in"'. 



Washington Magee spent the days of his 
mim.'rity in the county of his nativity, and 
his educational privileges were those afford- 
ed b\- the common schools. His time was 
largely occupied in assisting his father, and 
when twenty-one years of age he removed 
to Circleville, where he remained for about 
three years, at the expiralii:)n of \\ hich period 
he became a resident of Tarlton, Init after 
a short time took up his abode in Oakland, 
Clear Creek township, which has since been 
his ])lace of residence. He is a mechanic 
and has followed mechanical* pursuits dur- 
ing the greater part of his life. He learned 
l)oth the tinner's and harnessmaker's trade. 
His l)usiness career, however, was inter- 
rupted 1)_\- his ser\ice as a defender of the 
L'nion. He cnlisle<l on the 13th of Feb- 
ruary, i86.|, as a member of Company H, 
I'"ift_\--second Ohio \'olunteers, with which 
he continued until the cessati(.)u of hostil- 
ities. At Cani]5 Chase, near Cincinnati, he 
received an lionoral)le discharge. At the 
close of the war he returned to Oakland, 



244 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and for a time lived on the farm. He now 
draws a pension of twenty-five dollars per 
month because of impaired health occasioned 
by his army experience. 

Mr. Magee was united in marriage to 
Polly Walters, and unto them were born 
four sons and one daughter. \\'illiam H. 
has been a member of the standing army 
since the age r)f sixteen years. Elmira is 
the wife of Jacob Bender, of North Balti- 
more. Henry K. resides in Indiana. George 
makes his home in Chicago, Illinois. New- 
ton is deceased. The mother of this fam- 
ily was called to her final rest and Mr. 
Magee afterward married Becky Westen- 
barger, by whom he had one child, John L., 
who is now in England. Following the 
deatli of the second wife Mr. Magee was 
marricfl, in 1870, to Airs. Aquilla W^esten- 
barger, whose maiden name was Aquilla 
Bentz. She was born in Maryland and is 
a daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Horn- 
baker) Bentz. Her father was born in 
Maryland and was a weaver by trade. He 
came to Ohio when Mrs. Magee was about 
two years of age and settled with his family 
in Berne township, Fairfield county, where 



both he and his wife died, the former at the 
age of sixty-five years, the latter at the age 
of ninety years. Mrs. Magee was born 
about April 7, 1829, in Maryland, and after 
arriving at years of womanhood she gave 
her hand in marriage to David \Vestenbar< 
ger, who was torn August 27, 1828. Their 
children were: ]\Iartha Jane; Samuel, de- 
ceased; Charles; Margaret E. ; David; and 
Henry, who has also passed away. Mr. 
Westenbarger was born in Sugar Grove, 
Fairfield county, and was a farmer by cxcu- 
pation. He enlisted in Company I, of the 
Ninetieth Ohio Regiment, during the Civil 
war, and after serving for about six months 
died in Naslnille. Tennessee. 

Mr. and Mrs. Magee now have a pleas- 
ant home in Oakland, where he has so long 
resided that he is known to almost all of 
its citizens, and he also has a wide acquaint- 
ance throughout the county. He is now liv- 
ing in honorable retirement from labor at 
the ripe old age of eighty-three years, 
and he receives the veneration and re- 
spect which should ever be accorded one 
who has traveled thus far on the journey 
of life. 



M. C. MILLER. 



In public office M. C. Miller has won over his record there falls no shadow of 

high commendation by reason of his loyal wrong or suspicion of evil. He has always 

service in l)ehalf of the public. He was at resided in Fairfield county, and those who 

one lime treasurer of I'^airfield county and have known him longest and best entertain 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



MS 



for him tlie highest regard, showing that 
his life history is one wliicli will bear closest 
investigation. 

Mr. iVIiller was born October 2, 1841, 
on the old home farm in Berne township, 
five miles east of Lancaster. His father, 
Michael Miller, was a very prominent and 
influential citizen at an early date, widely 
known throughout the county by reason of 
his many excellent characteristics. He was 
also a self-made man and the success which 
he achieved came as the reward of his own 
labors. He was born in Rockingham coun- 
ty, Virginia, in the year 1813, and at an 
early date he was left an orphan. He ac- 
quired his education in the schools of the 
Old Dominion and when about twenty-three 
years of age emigrated w^estward, casting in 
his lot among the pioneer settlers of Berne 
township, r'airfield county, Ohio, where he 
lived until called to his final rest at the age 
of seventy years. Farming was his life 
work, and through that industry he was en- 
abled to provide a comfortable home for 
himself and family. In 1837 he was united 
in marriage to Miss Mary Stoneburner, a 
native of Rockingham county, Virginia, and 
they became the parents of seven children : 
Ann Maria, now deceased ; Elizabeth, who 
married J. B. Turner; M. C, the subject 
of this sketch; John E., of the Lancaster 
Bank; Abraham, who has also passed away; 
David E., a resident of Illinois; and Frank 
P., residing in Mechanicsville, Iowa. The 
father of this family was a stanch advocate 
of the Democracy, and for thirteen years he 
faithfully served as an infirmary director. 
At that time the salary was about eighteen 
dollars each \ear, while now it reached into 



the hundreds. ]\Ir. ^Miller was a member of 
the Menonnite church and from early youth 
until his death his life record was honorable 
and straightforward. All that he possessed 
came to him as the reward of his earnest 
and honorable lalior, and throughout Fair- 
field county he was held in high esteem. 

j\I. C. Miller, whose name introduces 
this record, is indebted to the district school 
system for the educational pri\'ileges which 
he enjoyed, which, howe\'er. were somewhat 
limited. At that time goose cjuills were used 
for pens and the teacher was required to 
give instruction in but three branches 
known as the three Rs — readin', 'ritin' and 
"rithmetic. When about twenty years of age 
he put aside his text-books and continued 
to work upon the home farm until his mar- 
riage. Miss Emma Reed becoming his wife. 
She was a native of Lancaster and to them 
were born two children : Stella, who mar- 
ried James A. Berry, of Columbus, and Rob- 
ert, who married .\bbie Trout, daughter of 
H. G. Trout, of Lancaster, and makes his 
home in Lancaster. In August, 1894, the 
mother of these children passed away, and 
in 1900 Mr. Miller was again married, his 
second union being with Charlotte Bowes, 
a native of Berne township. 

After his first marriage he purchased of 
his father a farm upon which he resided un- 
til 1889. In that year he was elected county 
treasurer and removed to Lancaster. So 
acceptabl}- did he care for the county finances 
that he was re-elected for a second term, 
and vvdien he retired from office he enjoyed 
the confidence and good will of all. His 
selection for the position was indicated by 
the largest maj(:)rit\' ever gi\-en in that coun- 



246 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ty. Karly in tlie "90.S he built tlie liome in 
which he now resides. He has of recent 
years been enoaoed in the stoci< business, 
together with the superintendence of his 
farm, and in botli branches of his enterprise 
he is meeting with prosperity. In politics 
he is a stanch Democrat when state and na- 
tional issues are involved, but at local elec- 
tions he regards only the capability of the 



candidate. At different times he has served 
as township trustee, and for a number of 
years was a member of the school lioard. 
The qualities which go to make up an up- 
right manhood are his, and through the past 
decades of his residence in Fairfield county 
he has enjoyed the friendship of those who 
have known him intimately, and the respect 
of all with whom he has been associated. 



JOHN J. STUKEY, D. D. S. 



Dentistry may be said to be almost 
imique among other occupations, as it is at 
once a profession, a trade and a business. 
Such, being the case, it follows in order to 
attain the highest success in it one must be 
thoroughly conversant with the theory of 
the art, must be expert with the many tools 
and appliances incidental to the ])ractice of 
modern dentistry, and nuist possess business 
qualifications ailequate to dealing with the 
financial side of the profession. In these par- 
ticulars Dr. Jiihn J. Stukey is well qualified, 
and therefore has attained prestige among 
the able rqjresentatives of dentistry in Ohio. 

The Doctor was born in Berne township, 
Fairfield county, September 9, 1868, and is 
a son of Jesse and Lucinda ( Arm.strong) 
Stukey. His mother was also born in this 
county, being a daughter of John Arm- 
strong, who resided in Baltimore, Ohio. 
Tlie parents resided upon a farm and un- 
der tlie parcntrd roof the Doctor was reared 



and early became familiar with all the duties 
and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- 
culturist. Through the winter months he 
pursued his education in the district schcwl, 
and later spent some time as a student 
in the Sugar (irove high schcx)l. After 
])utting aside his te.xt-books he began 
to learn the more difficult lessons in the 
schools of ex])erience. His first position was 
in the olfice of the county auditor, R. F. 
Brown, and afterward served as dei^uty 
auditor, acting in that capacity for three 
years. Subsequently he was employed by 
Dr. Eymn. a druggist, with whom he re- 
mained for two and one-half years, and on 
the expiration of that period he became a 
student of dentistry in the Ohio University 
at Columbus, where he remained for three 
years, being graduated in 1896. 

Dr. Stukey then returned to Lancaster, 
where he opened an office supplying it with 
all the latest and most .approved ajipliances 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



247 



belonging to the profession. Altliough lie is 
a young man his ability does not seem to 
be limited by his years, his excellent work- 
manship has secured to him a very large and 
constantly growing patronage. In 1897 ^''• 
Stukey was united in marriage to INIiss Susie 
Miesse, a daughter of Noah and Catiierine 
(Swartz) 'Miesse. of Colfax, Ohio. This 



uniiin lias liecn blessed with two children: 
Marsalette Lucinda and John Russell. They 
ha\'e a pleasant home in Lancaster and en- 
joy the hospitality of many of the leading 
householfls here. The Doctor is identified 
with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and 
in the line of his profession is connected 
with the Ohio Central Dental .Society. 



CHRISTOPHER CLUMP. 



Christopher Clump, who carries on gen- 
eral farming on section 35, Pleasant town- 
ship, was born in Lancaster on the 17th of 
January, 1835. His father, Christopher 
Clump, was a native of Germany, born in 
the year 1798. By trade he was a carpenter, 
and in his native land he was married. Sub- 
sequently he crossed the Atlantic to the 
United States, landing at Baltimore, Mary- 
land, where he remained for six months. 
During that time he learned of the njipur- 
tunities in the great west and also received 
information concerning the cheapness i)f 
land. This was the inducement wliicii 
brought him to Ohio, antl after a short resi- 
dence in Lancaster he became identified 
with agricultural interests of Marion town- 
shi]D, Hocking county, where he purchased 
fifty acres of land, to which lie afterward 
added a small tract, making a nice farm <if 
eighty acres. To the development and cul- 
tiwation <'i his place he devoted his energies 
until his death, which occurred in 1845. Li 



his laniily were se\'eral children, three of 
wlmni are yet living: John, a farmer of 
Hocking coun.ty. Ohio; Julia Ann, the wife 
of Joseph ^Mangold, of Columbus, Ohio; and 
Christopher. 

Christopher Cluiup. of this review, is 
the youngest, and in his yi )utli he attended 
the common school and at an early age be 
learned the carpenter's trade, which he con- 
tinued to follow until he had saved enough 
money with which to purchase eighty acres 
of land in Llocking county, Ohio. He had 
resided thereon only a year, however, when 
he h.ad an opportunity to sell it at a good 
advance. He then came to Fairfield coun- 
ty, taking up his abode in Walnut township, 
and resided there f)ne }-ear, at the end of 
which time he mo\-ed to Pleasant township, 
where he purchased his present farm of one 
hundred and fifteen acres on section 35. 
The last carpenter work which he has done 
was the erection of his own fine home that 
stands as a monument to his skill, ability 



248 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and enterprise. He is a progressive and 
wide-awake farmer, practical in his methods 
and conducting his business affairs so that 
he is annually adding to his income. 

Mr. Qump was married in 1862 to Miss 
Mary Ruff, a daughter of Gotlieb Ruff, of 
Fairfield county, and seven children were 
born of their union : Amelia J., who resides 
at home; Edward, a farmer of Illinois; Ben- 
jamin G., who is engaged in farming near 
the old home farm, adjoining his father's ; 
Emanuel D., who assists his father in the 
management of the homestead; Clara C. 
who acts as her father's housekeeper; and 



Reuben W., who is also at home. The wife 
and mother died on the loth of August, 
1898, in the faith of the Lutheran church, 
of which she had long been a consistent 
member. Mr. Clumj) is also identified with 
the same denomination and his life has ever 
been true to its teachings and its princi|)les. 
Industry and integrity have ever been salient 
characteristics in his business career, and as 
the years have passed he has gained a com- 
fortable competence, which now supplies 
him with all the necessaries and many of the 
luxuries of life and enables him to enjoy a 
well-earned rest from labor's arduous cares. 



JOSEPH P. HERSHBERGER, M. D. 



Among the capable physicians and sur- 
geons of Lancaster is Dr. Joseph P. Hersh- 
berger. Since jjioneer days the family name 
has been interwoven with the history of 
Fairfield county. His father. Lewis Hersh- 
berger, was lx3rn in Wurtembcrg. Germany, 
on the 31st of December, 1809. In his na- 
tive country he was educated and on emi- 
grating to the United States to.ik uj) his 
abode in Berne townshii). Fairfield c<uinty. 
Ohio, in the year 1830. Settling in llie 
midst of the forest, he there hewed out a 
new farm, upon which he reared his family. 
Through the greater part uf his active busi- 
ness life he remained a resident of Berne 
township. He was twice married, his first 
union being with Rachel Ream, of Fairfield 



county, a daughter of Jacob Ream, who was 
an early settler of this portion of the state, 
removing to Fairfield county from Lancas- 
ter, county. Pennsylvania. Mrs. Hersh- 
berger died in 1834 and the father of our 
subject afterward married Catherine Stukey, 
a resident of Hocking township. P>y this 
union there were two children: J(ise])h P. 
and Angeline. The latter is the wife of 
Philip Crist, a fanner. The father passed 
away in September, 1887. 

Upon the old home farm Dr. Hersh- 
lierger was born and there spent the first 
two years of his life. At that time his fa- 
ther retired from active labor and removed 
to Lancaster. Here our subject spent his 
boyhood days, developing a strong manhood, 





J. C. HERSHBERGER, M. D. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



251 



which has carried him through many a 
strain in the years of active practice as a 
representative of the medical fraternity. 
During the sumlner months he worked in 
the fields of his father's farm, which ph^ce 
is now the property of the Doctor, and in 
the winter he attended the city schools of 
Lancaster. When he put aside his text books 
to enter business life he accepted a position 
as superintendent for Martin & Ewing, a 
coal firmi, in the southern; part of Perry 
county, where he remained for eight years, 
but the practice of medicine was attractive 
to him and he determined tO' devote his en- 
ergies to the alleviation of human suffer- 
ing. Accordingly he began reading under 
the direction of Dr. Flowers, of Lancaster, 
ami in March, 1881, he was graduated in 
the Hahnemann Medical College of Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania. L'pon his return to 
Lancaster, he opened an office and began 
practice, since which time he has devoted 
his entire attention to his professional du- 
ties, which have constantly increased as the 
years have passed. He was one of the orig- 
inal members of the Natural Gas Co^mpany 
and is a member and president of the Per- 



petual Building & Loan Association, which 
company was organized in 188 1. 

On the 17th of Januai-y, 18S3, the Doc- 
tor was united in marriage to Miss Mary R. 
Donaldson, of Zanesville, Ohioi, a daughter 
of Thomas and Adelia (Flowers) Donald- 
son. Three children have been born of this 
union, Carl, Joseph and Mary. Socially the 
Doctor is connected with the Lancaster 
Lodge, No. 57, F. & A. M. ; Lancaster Chap- 
ter, No. II, R. A. M. ; Lancaster Command- 
ry, No. 2, K. T. ; and Hock Hocking En- 
campment, No. 8, Alpine Lodge, No. 566, 
I. O. O. F. He is also a member of the 
State Homeopathic Association and of the 
American Institute of Homeopathy. There 
have been no exciting chapters in his ca- 
reer. His life has been devoted to the faith- 
ful performance of his professional duties 
and to the discharge of his duties of citizen- 
ship and of liome life. There is in him, 
however, the weight of character and the 
strong individuality which commands re- 
spect. He has the regard <^{ his professional 
liretliren and of the public and well merits 
the success which has been accorded his cf- 
fitrts. 



ABRAHAM HANSBERGER. 



L'ntil 190J Abraham Hansberger was extensive landed interests and his ])roperty 

projirietiM" of the largest general store in has nil been acquired since he entered upon 

this |)art of Ohio, conducting business in his business career and has come to him as 

Baltimore for a lung period. He now has a direct result of capable management, keen 



252 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



discrimination and unflagging industry. He 
was bom in Amanda township, this coun- 
ty, on the .|th of December, 1848, and is a 
son of Joe! and Elizabeth (Loose) Hans- 
berger. His parents were both natives of 
Berks county, Pennsylvania, and about 1845 
came to Fairfield county, Ohio, the father 
purcliasing a farm in .\manda townshij), 
upon which he lived until 1850, when he 
removed with his family to a farm about 
four and one-half miles west <>f Baltimore. 
There they remained until a few years prior 
to the death of Joel Hansberger, when they 
took u]) their abode in the \illage of I'alti- 
more. He had purchased one hundred and 
tweh'c acres of land, which was largel)' cdv- 
ered with timber. Soon the woodman's ax 
awakened the echoes of the forest and tree 
after tree fell before his sturdy strokes. .\s 
the land was cleared he iiluwed and planted 
it. placing it under a high state of cultiva- 
tion as the years passed. Me was quite suc- 
cessful in his farming oi)erati(>ns and thus 
gained a comfortable living for himself and 
family. P.oth he and his wife were members 
of the IC\angeIical church, and in his prjiit- 
ical views he was a i)roni)unced Repul)lican. 
In the family were eleven children : I^aniel. 
who is li\ing in Columbus, ( >lii 1: John, a 
resident of W'orthington, .Minnesota; Joel, 
who makes his home in ]*altimorc, Ohio; 
Eli, of ^lichigan ; Jacob, wh<i was a stildier 
of the Ci'il war and died in the hospital in 
Washington. 1). C". ; Abraham, of this re- 
view; Thomas, of Michigan; Henry, who is 
living in Millcrs])ort. Fairfield county ; 
Charles, of Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. Lanah 
Ault. of Tifiin, Ohio; and Mrs. .Mice John- 
son, of BaUiiuorc. The mother of these 



children passed away, and the father after- 
ward married Elizabeth Miller, by whom he 
had one child, who is now Mrs. Anna Kis- 
ler, a resident of Columbus, Ohio. Joel 
Hansberger died January 20, 1886, at Balti- 
more, and was laid to rest in the Basil cem- 
etery. He was an earnest, upright man, 
well liked by all who knew him. 

Abraham Hansberger spent his life upon 
the old family homestead, and in the district 
schools of Liberty township acquired his ed- 
ucation, although his pri\ileges in that di- 
rection were somewhat meager, for his 
services were needed in the work of the 
home farm. He assisted his father until he 
was twenty years of age, when in 1S68 he 
went to the northern part of the state of 
Ohio, locating in Fremont. In that locality 
he worked as a farm hand for a numljer of 
years and through industr\- and economy ac- 
cumulated sufficient capital so that on his re- 
turn to Baltimore in 1880 he was able to 
enter into business as a general merchant in 
partnership with his brother Charles. They 
began operations on a small scale, Iiut grad- 
ually increased their stock in order to meet 
the growing demands of their trade, and 
after eight years Abraham Hansberger pur- 
chased his brother's interest, continuing the 
business inilil u>o_', when he sold out. lie 
had a large department store, in which he 
carried a very comi)lete stock, being one of 
the largest general stores of this section of 
the state. His ])ritronage came from far 
and near and ins careful control of his busi- 
ness and his reliable methods brought to him 
very gratifying jirosperity. .\s the years 
jiassed he made extensive and judicious in- 
vestmenls in real estate, lie now owns 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



253 



considerable amount of property, including' 
three hundred and twenty-six acres of land 
in South Dakota, a fine farm of three hun- 
dred acres near Columbus, several lots and 
houses in the capital city and also residence 
property and vacant lots in Baltimore. 

Mr. Hansberger has been twice mar- 
ried. He first wedded Nettie Krine, a na- 
tive of Michigan, who died a short time 
afterwards and was laid to rest in the family 
lot in the Basil cemetery. On the 5th 'if 
January, 1888, he wedded Miss Ida Bright, 
a daughter of Enoch Bright, of Baltimore. 



and unto them were born two children : 
Beulah and Dolly. Mr. and Mrs. Hansber- 
ger are members of the United Evangelical 
church of Baltimore, in which he has served 
as steward for the past twenty years. In 
his political views he endorses Republican 
principles, but has never sought or desired 
office. Quiet and unassuming in manner, 
he is nevertheless held in the highest regard 
by all who know him. the esteem being 
probably all the greater by reason of the 
fact that he makes no^ demands for public 
regard. 



DANIEL STUCKEY. 



At an early eiDoch in the pioneer history 
of Fairfield county, the Stuckey family was 
established within its liorders, and it was 
upon the old family homestea<l that the sub- 
ject of this review was burn in the year 
1826. The old house was erected by his 
grandfather, John Stuckey, in 1809. It was 
built of Ings which had been hewed from 
four or five feet dowji tO' about seven inches. 
The old place is still standing, but two ells 
ha\'e been added to it. It is one O'f the ok! 
land marks which, through almost a cen- 
tur\-, has looked forth ujion the surn.aindiiig 
country, witnessing the many changes whicu 
have occurred as this district was merged 
from' frontier coiKhtions to take its place 
among the leading counties of the commom- 
wcaltb. Ji'hii Stuckey, the builder of this 
pioneer hunie. was a native of Switzerland 



and on crc>ssing the Atlantic to the new 
world, took up his abode at Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania where he reared his famiily. 
He afterward brought his four sons witli 
him td Fairfield' county, settling in Berne 
township upon the farm which is now the 
home of our subject. At that time he owned 
all of the land where the town of Sugar 
Grove is now located, comprising alvout four 
or five acres. The fiats were at one tinic 
covered with sugar trees and thus the little 
town of Sugar Grove derived its name. The 
grandfather gave to each of his children one 
hundred and sixty acres of land and thus 
aided them in n^aking a start in life. He 
was ati active factor in the early dcN'elop- 
ment of the count}' but died in the _\'car 
181S. 

Joseph Stuckey, the father cf our mbject, 



254 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was 1)1 irn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and 
acquired his early education there. He after- 
ward accomixinied his parents on their rc- 
nw>val to Fairfield county and assisted in 
the culti\ation and development of the 
home farm. He was united in marriage to 
Miss Mar\- Reain and to them were born 
ele\-ai children, of whom one died in in- 
fanc)-. Mr. Stuckey was a \ery prominent 
factor in public affairs and left the impress 
of his individuahity upon the development 
and improvement of his county. For four- 
teen years he served as associate judge of 
the county court and his official career was 
blameless by reason of his ability and hi^ 
marked loyalty to duty. He was a man of lit- 
erary tastes who read broadh- and thought 
deeply. At one time he owned all of the 
land u])()n which the twvn of Sugar Grove 
was laid nut. P.oth he and lii.s wife were 
consistent and dcNi-ut memibers of the Re- 
formed church and for many years lie 
served as one of its elders. Generous in 
his supjxvrt of the church, he did all in his 
power to pp innate its growth and extend its 
influence and he iaiildcd the first house of 
worship in Sugar (irnve. When he was 
called to his final rest his children gave 
three lots to the church in Sugar Grove as a 
memorial to their father. He ])assed away 
in 1858, respected by all who knew him, for 
his worth was widely acknowledged and his 
efforts in behalf of the county along material, 
social, intellectual and moral lines were very 
beneficial. 

On the old family homestead Daniel 
Stuckey, of this review, spent his boyhood 
days, e.xiieriencing many of the hardships of 
frontier life but at the same time enjoying 



pleasures which are unknown at this period 
in the world's civilization. He pursued his 
education in an old-time log school house. 
Light was admitted into the room through 
a long window of alx)ut eighteen feet, made 
by leaving out a log in one side of the build- 
ing and filling the aperture with glass. It 
was just above the desk which was fonned 
of a slab all along one side of the room. 
There were slab benches, a puncheon floor 
and a huge fireplace, and methods of in- 
struction were almost as primitive as the 
furnishings, but experience, observation and 
reading have supplemented the early educa- 
tional privileges which ]ylr. Stuckey enjoyed, 
making him a well informed man. During 
his youth his time was largely occupied with 
the work of the farm, for he assisted his 
father in plowing, planting ami harvesting. 

In 1853 was celebrated the marriage of 
Mr. Stuckey and Miss Mary Ann Sharp, a 
native of Berne township. Fairfield county, 
and to them have been bom seven children, 
six of whom are yet living: Edward St. 
Clare and Joseph .Albert, lx>th residents of 
Columbus. Ohio: \\'illiam, who is residing 
in Mt. Sterling and is employed on the 
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad: Charles Daniel. 
also a resident of Columlnis : Robert Lee, 
who is living with his father: and Agnes, 
who married George Flowers and is residing 
near Lanca.ster. 

The family home is a valuable farm of 
two hundred and seventy-one acres and 
u]ion it are five gas wells which materially 
add to the income of the mvner. Mr. 
Stuckey entered the last piece of property in 
Fairfield county which was obtained from 
the government. Tliis was in 1865. There 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



is a story connected with tlie old faniT to the 
effect that about sixty-iive years ago there 
was a hidden treasure dug up by a man of 
the name of White, who then secretly left 
the neighborhood, never letting it be known 
just how much he had received. Another 
man of the name of Riser, who was one of 
the diggers on the farm at the time, told Mr. 
Stuckey on his death bed that the hidden 
treasure had been discovered. The old hole 
which was being dug at the time is still there 
and is called Spiritual Hole. It was sunk to 
a depth of one hundred and sixty feet and 
required three months to dig it. Through- 
out his active business career Mr. Stuckey 



has carried on agricultural pursuits and his 
labors ha^■e brought to him desirable suc- 
cess, so that he is now the possessor of a 
comfortable competence. In politics he is a 
Democrat, and is a member of the Reformed 
church of Sugar Grove. His entire life has 
been passed in Fairfield county, so that his 
memory forms a connecting link between 
the primitive past and the progressive pres- 
ent. He has now passed the seventy-sixth 
milestone on life's journey and can look 
back over the years that have passed with- 
out regret and forward to the future with- 
out fear, for his life has ever been char- 
acterized by honorable dealings with all. 



CORNELIUS HUFFER. 



Through three generations the Huffer 
family has been identified with agricultural 
interests of Fairfield county. Grandfather, 
father and son have been honored and re- 
spected farmers, whose labors have brought 
to them success and at the same time have 
contributed to the general prosperity of the 
county. Cornelius Huffer is now the owner 
of a very attractive and valuable farm, his 
being one of the model places in this por- 
tion of Ohio. He has made excellent im- 
provements there, and his home is a large 
frame residence, in the rear of which stand 
substantial barns and outbuildings, all sur- 
rounded by richly cultivated fields. He has 
one hundred and thirty-one and one-third 



acres of arable land, and, in connection with 
the production of the cereals best adapted 
to the soil and climate, he has extensively 
engaged in stock-raising. 

Mr. Huffer was born in Amanda town- 
ship upon this place, his natal day being 
May 8, T837. His paternal grandfather, 
Isaac Huffer, came from Pennsylvania to 
Ohio when Fairfield county was situated 
upon the extreme borders of civilization, be- 
ing a frontier district. He took up his abode 
in Amanda township, where he purchased 
one hundred and sixty-five acres of land in 
its primitive condition, the trees standing in 
their primeval strength of the years past. 
He not only placed his land under a high 



256 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



state of cultivation, but added to his original 
purchase a tract of one hundred and thirty- 
three and one-third acres and still another 
of one hundred and sixty-five acres, his last 
possessions adjoining made him a wealthy 
farmer of the community. It was all cov- 
ered with a dense growth of timber when 
it came into his possession, but with char- 
acteristic energy he began to clear it and 
soon the sound of the woodman's ax awak- 
ened the echoes of the forest and the sun- 
light shone upon open fields ready for cul- 
tivation. He fenced his place, erected good 
buildings, and in the course of time became 
the owner of a farm unsurpassed in im- 
provements in this portion of the state. His 
home was there until his death, which oc- 
curred when he was about eighty years of 
age. His wife also passed away there after 
having survived him for several years. In 
the family were four children, but none are 
now living. 

Isaac Huffer, the father of our suliject. 
was born upon the old home place in Aman- 
da townslii]) and became familiar with farm 
work under the direction of his father, and 
continued the cultivation of the land after 
his father's death. He, too. prospered, 
owing to his perseverance, his energ}-, his 
honorable business methods and personal 
worth. He supported the Baptist church 
during the latter part of his life, dying in 
that faith about i860 when sixty-six years 
of age. His wife bore the maiden name of 
Mary Wells and was born in Maryland, 
while her death occurred at the age of sev- 
enty-seven years. She was a devoted moth- 
er, a loving wife and a kind neighbor. She 
-enjoyed to an unusual degree the love and 



friendship of those with whom she was as- 
sociated. During the last nine years of her 
life she was afflicted with blindness, but she 
bore her suffering bravely and with Chris- 
tian fortitude. In their family were ten 
children, of whom Cornelius Huffer is the 
youngest anil about the only survivor. 

The subject of this review has known 
no other home than that upon which he is 
living. It was his playground in boyhood, 
the place of his early efforts in business, 
and has continued to be the field of his 
labor through all the years of his manhood. 
The large and attractive residence which 
stands here is a monument to his enterprise 
and progressive spirit, for it was erected by 
him. He has also built other buildings, 
which have made his place one of the model 
farms of the county. He thoroughly under- 
stands the best methods of producing crops 
and caring for stock, and in both liranches 
of his business is meeting with creditable 
success. 

.\s a com])anion and helpmate for life's 
journey Air. Huft'er chose hjneline liell. 
their n.iarriage occurring on the 14th of No- 
vember, 1 87 J. The lady was born in Aman- 
da township, Fairfield county, and is the 
daughter of Charles Bell, a prominent farm- 
er of this locality, bis h<ime being near the 
Huffer farm. He was killed by a falling 
tree while engaged in chopping in the 
woods. Mr. and Mrs. Huffer became the 
parents of nine cbililrcn, hut the first born 
died unnamed. Nora E. is the wife of Harry 
Dorring, a resident farmer of Amanda 
township, and they have one child, Emory 
Cornelius. Emmet D. resides upon the 
home farm and assists his father in the cul- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



257 



tivation of the fields. Kirby B. also works 
on the old homestead. ^lertie E. and \\\\- 
bert P. are yet under the parental roof, ami 
Clinton C. completes the family, the others 
having died in infancy. The Democratic 
party receives the unwavering support of 
Mr. Huffer, who always casts his ballot for 
its men and measures, but he has never 
sought or desired public ofifice as a reward 



for party fealt}-. He is one of the men who 
ha\e helped to make and hold Fairfiekl coun- 
ty to its present prosperous condition, and 
his life has been in harmony with the record 
of an honorable ancestry. His home is the 
visible evidence of his life of industry, and 
all who know him unite in speaking" of 
him in terms of high praise and com- 
mendation. 



WILLIAM L. CONRAD. 



A\'illiam L. Cunrad, one oi the old and 
respected citizens oi Fairfield coimty, now 
residing in Clear Creek township, was born 
on the 15th of May, 1826, in the township 
which is still his hunie. His paternal grand- 
father, Daniel Conrad, married Esther Ruth. 
He was born in Maryland and came to Ohio 
in 1804, locating in Clear Creek township 
when the work of progress and improvement 
had scarcely been begun in this county. He 
secured a large tract of goxernment land, 
which he cleared of the forest trees, there 
making a home for himself and family. 
Throughout his remaining days he carried 
on agricultural pursuits and at the age of 
seventx-eight \'ears his life's labors ended 
in death. He was a very prosperous and 
progressive man and his energy and indus- 
try enabled him to overcome all difficulties 
in his [jath, to endure the hardships of a 
I)inneer life and to steatlily work his way up- 
ward to success. 

John D. Conrad, the father of our sub- 



ject, was also born in Maryland, and during 
the early days of his boyhood he was brought 
lay his parents to Ohio, his youth being 
passed upon the farm his father had entered 
from the government. He too became a 
hard working and enterprising man and ac- 
cumulated considerable property. He held 
some of the minor offices of his township 
and gave his political support to the Repub- 
lican part}', believing thorovighly in its prin-- 
cijjles. He held membership in the Luther- 
an church and his life was in consistent har- 
miiaiy with its teachings, ^^'hen he had ar- 
ri\ed at years of maturity he wedded Eliza- 
beth Lape. They became the parents of five 
children: Hester, who died at the age of 
tliirty years; Angeline, the wife of Ezra 
A'alentine, of Madison township; John, who 
died in iSf)^, at the age of thirty-five: Dan- 
iel, who resides in Clear Creek towiisliip; 
and William L., of this re\-iew. The father 
of tliis family died on the old homestead at 
the age of sevent\--si.x vears, while his wife 



258 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



passed away in 1864 at the age uf sixty- 
eight. They were respected by all who 
knew them and in a large measure enjoyed 
the friendship of tiVose with whom they 
came in contact. 

William L. Conrad, the eldest of their 
family, remained upon the home farm until 
1849. He has engaged in general farming 
and stock-raising throughout the years of 
his manhood. His education was acquired 
in the public schixils, his lessons being pm^- 
sueil in an old log school house, which he 
attended only through the winter months, 
for his labors were needed upon the home 
farm during the summer season. He early 
became familiar with the work of plowing, 
planting and harvesting, and after he had at- 
tained to man's estate he engaged in the 
operation of one hundred sixty-eight acres 
of land, his thorough understanding of 
fami work eiiabling him to annually secure 
a gcxid return for his labors. 

During the Civil war, however, Mr. Con- 
rad put aside the duties of field and meadow 
in order that he might aid his country, and 
on the 1st of May, 1864, he enlisted in Com- 
pany I, One Hundred Fifty-ninth Ohio Vol- 
unteer Infajitry for three months' service. 
He was stationed at Baltimore, Maryland 
and at the expiration of his term was dis- 
charged at Washington. He then returned 
to his home and family in Ohio. 

Mr. Conrad had been married in 1849 to 
Miss Lucinda Conrad, whose birth occurred 
in Clear Creek township, Fairfield county, 
a daughter of Daniel D. Conrad, who came 
to Ohio from Maryland when he was four 
years of age and spent his remaining' days 



in Clear Creek township. Thirteen years 
ago our subject was called upon to mourn 
the loss of his wife, who died at the age of 
sixty years. She was a faithful member of 
the Presbyterian church and was most de- 
v<xed to her family, putting forth every ef- 
fort in her power to enhance the welfare 
and promote the happiness of her husband 
and children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Conrad 
were born, three sons and a daxighter. 
Simon, the eldest, resides upon the home 
farm, where our subject is now living. He 
wedded Mary Brown, who died in March, 
1901, leaving two children: Murray and 
Orrin. Nelson, a resident of Clear Creek 
township, married Emma Good. Wilson, 
who also carries on agricultural pursuits in 
Clear Creek township, married Catherine 
Olierderfer. Ijy whom he has had two chil- 
dren : .Alberta and Ross. Frances E., the 
only daughter of the family, is the wife of 
Thomas Roberts, a farmer and brick-mason 
of Clear Creek township, and they have five 
children: Carl, James, Mamie, Lotta and 
Ralph. 

Mr. Conrad, since the organization of the 
party, has been a stanch Republican, firmly 
believing in the principles of the platform. 
He belongs to the Presbyterian church of 
Amanda and is identified with the Grand 
Army of the Republic. For seventy-five 
years he has been a witness of the growth 
and development of the state and has been 
particularly interested in the progress of the 
county of his nativity. He was at one time 
connected for twenty-two months with the 
Soldiers' Home at Sandusky. Ohio, filling 
the position of turnkey and having charge 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



259 



of tlie main dining room, but with tiie excep- 
tion of tliis period he has always lived in 
Fairlield ci unty and at present makes his 
home w itli his children in Clear Creek tow n- 
ship, now residing with his eldest son, Si- 
m.on. His memory forms a connecting link 
between the primitive past and the progress- 
ive present. He can remember when the 
greater part of the surface of this county 
was coN'ered with a growth of wild timber. 



he has seen it developed to its present high 
state of cultix'ation and has ever borne his 
part in transforming it into one of the rich- 
est farming districts in the state. His life 
has ever been an acti\-e and useful one and 
he has that true worth oif character, which 
in e\ery land .and clime commands respect 
and confidence. Well does he deserve men- 
tion in this history, and with pleasure we 
present his record to our readers. 



JOHN D. NOURSE, M. D. 



An enumeration of the men of the pres- 
ent generation who have won honor and 
public recognition for themselves and at the 
same time have honored the' state to which 
they belong would be incomplete were there 
a failure to make prominent reference to the 
one whose name initiates tliis review. 
He held distinctive precedence in medical 
circles and his prominence was known as 
the result of professional skill and of a char- 
acter above reproach. 

Dr. Nourse was born in Sharpsburg, 
Washington c<junty, Marylantl, on the 30th 
of November, 1827, his parents being 
Qiarles and Susan (Cameron) Nourse, who 
came to Fairfield county in 1841, settling in 
Rushville. The Doctor was then fourteen 
years (jf age. He soon afterward entered 
upon his business career as a salesman in 
the store of T. B. & Crawford Padden. 
dry goods merchants at Pleasantville. He 

14 



was there employed for about two years and 
at the age of sixteen began teaching, meet- 
ing with excellent success for one so young. 
In 1847 'i^ went to the state of Alabama 
where he continued his educational work 
for two years and then entered upoji the 
reading of medicine with a physician in that 
state, for he had become imbued with a 
strong desire to make its practice his life 
work. Accordingly in July, 1849. he en- 
tered the office of Dr. D. A. Fisher, of Balti- 
more, Ohio, with whom he continued his 
stutlies until 185 1. During the winter 
months he attended medical lectures in the 
Clexeland Medical College and was grad- 
uated in that institution on the 26th of Feb- 
ruary, 185 1. 

Dr. Nourse then located in Baltimore. 
Ohio, where he opened an office and l)egan 
practice, soon winning a liberal patronage as 
the the public recognized his skill in coping 



2 10 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



\\\t\\ the intricate problems tliat CDiitinually 
meet the pliysician. In 1859 lie removed Id 
Rushville. Ohio, ami during the winter of 
1862-3 attended medical lectures in the Jef- 
ferson College at Philadelphia. Pennsyl- 
vania, being graduated in that institution 
with high honors. He then removed to 
Reynoldsburg. Ohio, where he remained un- 
til 1877, the year of his arrival in Lancaster 
where he spent his remaining days, continu- 
ing an active practitioner of his profession 
in this city until his death. He kept in con- 
stant touch with the advanced thought and 
progress of the profession, and anything 
which tended to give to man the key to that 
mystery which we call life, elicited his warm 
interest. His professional duties made 
heavy demands ujjon his time, but he was 
never known to shirk a responsibility. 

On the 1st of JNIay, 1851, Dr. Xourse 
was united in marriage to iliss Catherine 
!M. Berry, of New Salem, Ohio, and unto 
them were born two children. Darlington 
B.. the elder, is engaged in the dry-goods 
business at Canton, Ohio, and has three chil- 
dren : Catherine, Darlington and Joseph. 
The younger son, John H., is a member of 
the dry goods firm of H. \\. Becker & Com- 
pany, of Lancaster, Ohio, and his children 
are Harry, Carl and Ralph. The mother of 
these children died, and on the 19th of Sep- 
tember, 1895, the Doctor again married, 
the second union being with Miss Emma 
Guscman, of Lancaster, Ohio, a daughter 
of Jacob and Catherine M. (Pifer) Guse- 
man. Her father died in 1883 at the age of 
eighty-three years. The marriage of her 
parents was celebrated Octolier 10, 1824, 
and in 1832 they took up their abode on 



West Mulberry street, in Lancaster, where 
they spent their remaining days. Mr. Guse- 
man was born in Martinsburg, West Vir- 
ginia, and at a very early date became a resi- 
dent of this city. He was a blacksmith by 
trade and a very thorough and proficient 
workman. His life was upright and honor- 
able and he was highly respected by all who 
knew him, as a Christian man. He was 
strictly temperate in his habits and was a 
devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. His wife, who was born in Pitts- 
burg, Pennsylvania. December 18, 1801, 
was a daughter of Jacob Pifer and in 1806 
was brought to Fairfield county, her death 
occurring in Lancaster, .\ugust 5. 1900, 
when she was ninety-nine years of age. For 
more than ninety-three years she was a resi- 
dent of this city and took a keen interest in 
its growth and progress as well as in its im- 
provement. She too was a faithful member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church and her 
influence was ever on the side of the right, 
the true and the beautiful. By her marriage 
she liecame the mother of eleven children, 
of whom five are yet living, while three, 
Catherine, Philemon and Emma, are still in 
this city. Both Mr. and Mrs. Guseman were 
laid to rest in the Elmwood cemetery. The 
lady possessed a remarkable memory up to 
the time of her death, although she attained 
an extremely advanced age. 

Dr. Nourse lived an honorable, upright 
life in consistent harmony with the highest 
principles of manhood. He, too, was an 
earnest and active member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, his connection therewith 
covering alxiut fifty-four years during which 
time he held manv ofiices in the church. For 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



261 



a number of years he was a Suaday-schonl 
superintendent and was one of the most 
efficient and liest quaHtied men tliat has ever 
filled the positimi. He was a worthy exemp- 
lar of Charity Lodge No. 7, 1. O. O. F., in 
which he served as chaplain and was also a 
member of Hock-Hocking Encampment of 
this cit_\'. At various times he representefl 
biith of these posts in the grand lodge and 
main encampment of the state, and always 
served upon their most important commit- 
tees. He was a member of the board of di- 
rectors of the city of Lancaster and took an 
acli\e and helpful interest in every measure 
that he believed would prove of public bene- 
fit. He was also appointed attending phy- 
sician at the Children's Home and was act- 
ing in that capacity at the time of his death. 
He was likewise the resident trustee of the 



beneficial association of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows of Ohio, filling that 
position for many years. At length death 
came, removing from Lancaster one nf its 
most honored and \alued citizens. His 
funeral was the largest ever held here, and 
the cortage that wended its way to the ceme- 
tery was headed by the Lancaster Mechan- 
ics' Band. ^lost of the members of Charity 
Lodge No. 7, 1. O. O. F., of Hock-Hocking 
Encampment and of the Patriarchs Mili- 
tant were present with a large concourse of 
citizens from all parts of the county. He 
was laid to rest in Forest Rose cemetery 
amid the deepest regret of all who knew 
him. His professional life brought him into 
contact with all classes of people and he was 
loved and respected by young and old, rich 
and poor. 



DAVID MUSSER. 



David Musser is the oldest resident of 
Rush Creek township and was born upon 
the farm wdiere he yet resides, his birth hav- 
ing occurred in January, 1809. Through 
almost a century he has witnessed the ad- 
vancement which has been reached as man 
has claimed the wild land for the use of him- 
self and those to follow him. He has al.so 
witnessed tlie progress that has been secured 
along the various lines of progress; has 
seen the old stage coach replaced by the 
railroad, while the telephone and telegraph 



have brought man into close communica- 
tion with those living hundreds of miles 
away. Fairfield county has kept in touch 
with the progress and inipro\ement and Mr. 
Musser has rejoiced in the advancement of 
this portion of the state. He is hideed an 
honored old settler and well does he deserve 
mention in the history of this locality. 

His father, Theobold Musser, was a na- 
tive of Germany, and with relatives came 10 
this country when but a small boy, taking 
up his abode in Llagerstown, Maryland. 



262 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Tliere lie lived for about thirty years, and 
ill !^oi came to Ohio, settling within its 
borders before the admission of the state 
into the Union. His father-in-law, Chris- 
tian Binkly, had purchased three and one- 
half sections of land at the usual govern- 
ment price, and he gave three hundred and 
twenty acres to his daughter, Mrs. Musser. 
Upon that tract she and her husband took 
up their abode, it lacing now the home farm 
of David Musser. All was timberland, the 
trees growing in great density in places so 
that it was almost impossible for the sun- 
light to penetrate to the ground beneath. 
Theoboid .Musser built a log cabin in the 
woods and cleared niucli nf his land, while 
his son David cleared the remainder. Later 
he purchased an additional tract of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres about one mile north 
of the home of his son David. 

Theoboid Musser was married in Mary- 
land to Miss Christina Binkly, a native of 
that state. They became the parents of 
eleven children, five sons and si.x daughters, 
but David Musser is the only one now liv- 
ing. These were: Mary, Henry, Elizabeth, 
Jake. John. Catherine. Becky, Daniel, David, 
Sarah and Ann. In addition to the cultiva- 
tion of his land Mr. Musser followed the 
miller's trade. He was a millwright, hav- 
ing become familiar with the business when 
a boy, and he erected a great many mills 
during his lifetime. Upon his land he built 
log buildings not only for the shelter of his 
family, but also for the protection of the 
grain and stock, and as time passed he be- 
came the owner of what was considered a 
very excellent farm at that day. Politically 



he was identified with the Whig party and 
was a member of the Lutheran church. 

David Zinsser acquired his early educa- 
ti(jn in the district schools of the township, 
nie temple of learning was a little log buikl- 
iiig and he continued his studies for alxnit 
two months each year, for during the re- 
mainder of the season his labors were re- 
quired upon the home farm. His education 
was considered complete when he was about 
sixteen or seventeen years of age, as far as 
attendance at school was concerned, and 
after that he gave his undivided attention 
to the work of the farm. The arduous task 
of clearing and developing the wil<l land is 
familiar to him. for out of his grandfather's 
rich purchase three farms were developed 
and improved. He has never been away 
from the county but twice during his en- 
tire life, and during the period of his active 
business career was continuously engageil 
in general farming and in the raising of 
cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. 

In 1836 David Musser was united in 
marriage to Miss Frances Huff, a native of 
Pike county. Ohio. ;md they became the par- 
ents of ten children, namely : Caroline, 
Willard, Edward, Jesse, Davitl. Laura and 
Ferdinand (twins), Jacob, Emma and Re- 
becca. Of this number five are yet living. 
]\Ir. Musser has given his political support 
to the Republican party since its organiza- 
tion, and prior to that time was identified 
with the Whig party. He has served as 
supervisor of his township and was also 
school director for a number of years. He 
is a member of the Reformed church and is 
an honored representative of one of the old- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



263 



est pioneer families in tlie state. He is to- 
day tiie oldest man in his township and one 
of the oldest in the county. His memory 
goes back to the time when people lived in 
little log- Iniildings, containing but one or 
two rooms, with overhead a loft in which 
the children were put to sleep. The struc- 
ture was heated by an immense fireplace, 
and the cooking was done over a bed of 
coals there, b'urniture was primitive and 
farm implements were crude, but hospitality 



reigned supreme in those davs, the latch 
string always being out. The days were 
days of toil, but there were social gather- 
ings and pleasures such as are unknown at 
the ]ireseiit time. In the work of his farm 
Mr. Musser employs all the luodern e(|uii)- 
ments and accessories, anil as the years have 
passed he gained a comfortable competence 
so that in the evening of life he has been 
cnaljled to enjoiy a well earned and well 
merited rest. 



JESSE MUSSER. 



Jesse ]\Iusser, the sul>ject of this rex'iew, 
needs no introduction to the readers of this 
volume, for the Musser family is. one widely 
known in this portion of the state. Our sub- 
ject was born upon the old home farm in 
1844, his birthplace being a typical log cal)in 
such as was so frequently seen upon the 
frontier. His education was acquired in a 
school house of similar character. The chil- 
dren, seated on slab benches, conned their 
lessons from the little text books then in 
vogue. In the work of the fields he bore his 
share, and w^hen he had completed his school 
life he went immediately to the war, enlist- 
ing in Com])anv F, One Hundred and Fifty- 
ninth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, at 
Bremen, under Captain Le.slie. He then 
proceeded to Zanesville, Ohio, and thence to 
Harper's Ferry in the year 1864. He par- 
ticipated in the battle of Manassas Junction, 
but was on picket dutv during the greater 



part of the time, and on the expiration oi 
his three months" term of service was hon- 
orably discharged, in .\ugust, 1864. He 
was really exemjjt frcjm military service be- 
cause of his yoaith, ha\-ing not yet attained 
his majority, but his loyal and patriotic 
spirit prompted his enlistment as a defender 
of tlie Union. 

After his return from the war Jesse 
Musser entered the employ of his uncle, in 
IndianaixiJis. He desired, hc)wc\-er, to enlist 
again, and made his way to Columbus for 
that purpose, but on reaching that city he 
learned that General Lee had surrendered 
and that the war was ))ractically ended. 
During the summer he continued to reside 
in Fairfield county, and then returned to 
Indianapolis, where he remained for four 
years. On the expiration of that period he 
once more took up his abode upon the farm 
where he has since resided and is now ac- 



264 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



counted one of the practical, progressive and 
enterprising agriculturists of this part of the 
state. 

In 1897 Mr. Musser was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Ota Cuplin, a native of Fair- 
field county, born about two miles north of 
Rusluilie, and they now have one child, 



George C. In his political views Mr. 
Musser is a Republican, unfaltering in his 
allegiance to the party. He is a member of 
the lieformed church and his wife of the 
Methodist Protestant church, and he is 
identified with the Grand Army of the Re- 
public. 



WILLIAM HEGE. 



Every civilized country on the face of 
the globe has sent its representatives to 
America to aid in formulating the citizen- 
ship of tlie new wnrld, but the United States 
claims no more loyal, patriotic and valued 
sons than those who came from Switzerland. 
The Hege family, of whom our subject is a 
representative, had its <irigin in Switzer- 
land and some of the sterling traits of char- 
acter of that race are manifest in the life of 
him whose name introduces this review. The 
first of the name to come to America was 
Hans ] lege, w li<i arri\cd September Jj, 
1727, landing at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
He settled in Germantown, where the fam- 
ily resided for a time and then located in 
Lancaster county, and since that time their 
descendants have been active factors in pro- 
moting public progress and improvement in 
every locality in which they have resided. 

W'iliirnn Hege, now a resident of Pair- 
fiekl county, was born in .\manda township 
on the 25th of .September, 1843, his parents 
being Peter and Mary (Updegrafif) Hege. 



The father was a native of Pennsylvania, 
his birth having occurred in Giambersburg. 
Franklin county, Septeml>er 11, 1801, 
whence lie came to Ohio in the year 1825, 
being about twenty-four years of age. He 
settled in .Amanda township, where he pur- 
chased a tract of land of one hundred and 
sixty acres, and built thereon a hewed log 
house, which was erected in 1826 and is still 
standing, a mute reminder of pioneer days 
and indicates, by contrast, the progress and 
improvement made in this fair common- 
wealth. It is still used as a dwelling by some 
of .his children. The land was all covered 
witii timber wheni it came into the possession 
of the father of our subject, but with char- 
acteristic energy he began clearing and cul- 
tivating it and made a good home for liim- 
self and family. Thereon he resided until 
his death, which occurred in 1885, when he 
was eighty-four years of age. For a number 
of years he had held the office of town.ship 
trustee and was often called ujion to fill 
other positions of piil)]ic trust, to which he 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



265 



was most faithful, fully meeting every ob- 
ligation that devolved upon him with faith- 
ful exactitude. His political support was 
given the Democracy until 1856, when he 
joined the ranks of the Republican, party 
formed to pre\'ent the further extension of 
slavery. He took a deep interest in politics 
and was unwavering .in his alllegiance to the 
cause which he espoused, but did not care 
for office. He was ever a public-spirited 
man and an ad\'ocate of all that tended to 
improve the county along material, social, 
intellectual and moral lines. A gentleman of 
good education he kept well informed, not 
only on political questlnns but upon the cur- 
rent events (if the day, and his opinions car- 
ried weight and influence. He held mem- 
bership with the Evangelical Association for 
a long period, although in his younger days 
he was a member oi the Lutheran church. 
In his business affairs he met with a fair de- 
gree of success and was held in the highest 
esteem liv his fellow men because of his gen- 
uine worth and his fidelity to manly prin- 
ciples. His wife survi\ed him until 1899, 
passing away at the extreme old age of nine- 
ty-six }-ears. She too was a member of the 
Evangelical .\ssociation and lived an earnest 
Christian life, which iiad marked influence 
in molding the destinies of her children. 

Unto Mr. and I\lrs. Hege were ixirn 
eleven children: Samuel is a bridge builder 
of Colunrbus, Indiana : Louisa is the widow 
of Washington Burgett. and noA- resides iri 
Indiana])olis; Catherine is the widow of 
John Middlesworth, who was a prominent 
farmer and cattle raiser of Shelby county. 
Illinois; Alary is the wife of Jedediah Allen, 
of Shelby county, Illinois; Belinda is the 



widow of James JNIcBride; Levi is a civil 
engineer and resides in Columbus, Indiana; 
Enos was a contractor and carpenter of In- 
dianapolis, but is now deceased ; Christian 
resides on the old home place; William is 
next in order of birth ; David died in in- 
fancy ; and Alartha Jane completes the 
familv. 

At the usual age William Hege entered 
the commcMi schools near his home and mas- 
tered the branches of English learning 
usually taught in such institutions. He ac- 
quired a fair education, fitting him for life's 
practical and responsible duties. Through 
the months of summer he assisted his father 
in tlic wiirk of the fields, being thus em- 
ployed until eighteen years of age, when in 
December, 1861, roused by a spirit of pa- 
triotism, he offered his services to the gov- 
ernment, enlisting as a member of Company 
E, Seventy-third Ohio Infantry. He re- 
mained as one of the loyal defenders of the 
Union upon the southern battle-fields until 
July, 1865, when, hostilities having ceased, 
he was mustered out at Camp Dennison. 
<)hi(? and received an honoralile discharge. 
He participated in many important engage- 
ments, including the second battle of Bull 
Run and Chancellorsville and was on the 
marcii with Pope when the regiment was 
under fire continuously for se\enteen days. 
He also took part in the memorable battle of 
Cettysburg and in September, the same 
Near, was transferred to Chattanooga, Ten- 
nessee, taking part in the engagement of 
Missionary Ridge after being sent to that 
section of the country. He was also with 
Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea, 
which proved that the strength of the Con- 



266 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



federacy was almost exliausted. Whether 
on the picket line or in the midst of hattle, 
he was ever faithfnl to his dnty, was relial)le 
and loyal. 

WMien the war was ended Mr. Hege re- 
turned to his home, but he only remained for 
a few days, going thence to Columbus, In- 
diana, where he resided for two and one- 
half years, during which time he engaged 
in carpentering. He then returned to Ohi > 
and has never since wandered from the home 
county, but has remained a valued and act- 
ive citizen, deeply interested in the welfare 
and progress of the same. He now owns 
and operates eighty acres of land, and, is als i 
engaged to some extent in the raising of 
stock. His business interests are carefully 
conducted and his farm is the visible evi- 
dence of his life of enterprise and diligence. 

On the 20th of September. 1875. iNlr. 
Hege was united in marriage to Miss Pluvbe 
Kisfcr, a driut;hter of William and Mar- 



garet Kiger, and a sister of George 
Kiger. Her father was one of the early 
settlers of this county. The home of Mr. 
and Mrs. Hege has l>een blessed with one 
child, Annabel, who is still with her parents. 
Mr. Hege votes with the Republican party 
and has iirm faith in its principles. Socially 
he is connected with the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows and with Parsons Post, G. 
.\. R., of Xeliraska, Pickaway county. Ohio, 
and his religious faith is indicated by his 
membership in the United Evangelical 
church. He has held office as justice of the 
peace for three years, and his life has ever 
been such as to commend him to the esteem 
and regard of all with whom he has been 
associated. His loyalty upon the southern 
battlefields was but an index of his char- 
acter, which has ever been above reproach. 
his life furnishing an exrunplo thai is well 
wi.rthv of enndation by all who desire to 
achieve success. 



HON. JOHN G. BRESLIN. 



No compendium such as the province of 
this work defines in its essential limitations 
will serve to offer fit memorial l<i the life and 
accomplishments of the honored subject of 
this sketch — a man remarkable in the breadth 
of his wisdom, in his indomitable persever- 
ance, his strong individuality, and yet one 
whose entire life h;is not <ine esoteric ])liase. 
being an iv]K'n scroll, inviting the closest 



scrutiny. True, his have been "massive 
deeds and great" in one sense, and yet his 
entire life accomplishment but represented 
the result of the fit utilization of the innate 
talent which was his, and the directing of 
his efforts jn those lines where mature 
judgment and rare discrimiitation led the 
wav. There was in him a weight of char- 
acter, a native sagacitv, a far-seeing judg- 




JOHN G. BRESLIN 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



i6g 



meat and a fidelitx- nf purpose that cumnianil- 
ed respect of all. .\ man of indefatigable en- 
terprise and fertility of resource, he has 
carved his name deeply on the record of the 
political, commercial and professional his- 
tory of the state, which owes much of its 
advancement to his efforts. Mr. Breslin 
was the youngest man who ever presided as 
speaker over the house of representatives of 
Ohio. Again and again his efforts aided in 
promoting public policy and in establishing 
the career of his grand old commonwealth. 
He was the friend and associate of many 
of the distinguished men of Ohio who gained 
national fame, and his life recrrd forms an 
important chapter in the annals of his state. 
Mr. Breslin was a native of Lebanon. 
Pennsylvania, his birth having there oc- 
curred about 1824. His father. Hugh Bres- 
lin. was a contractor and engaged in the 
construction of pul.>lic works in the citv of 
Washington. D. C Both the parents of our 
subject died when he was only about three 
years of age and he was adopted by a family 
( f the name of McKissen. While yet a 
small boy that family removed to Ohio, lo- 
cating near Dayton, and there Mr. Breslin 
remained until he was about twelve years of 
age, when, feeling that he should pro\i(le 
f(r his own support he tied up a few of his 
effects in a big handkerchief and with his 
bundle started for Columbus, Ohio. There 
was a similarity in the history of this period 
of his life to that of Benjamin Franklin. 
Like the great statesman of the colonial 
]icriod he too exercised a widel}- felt influ- 
ence in public afifairs. On reaching Co- 
lumbus he presented himself to Colonel Sam- 
uel Medarv, who was editor of the States- 



man, a pronounced Democratic paper oi the 
capital cit\-. Colonel Medary having been at 
one time governor of Minnesota. The Col- 
onel was very much pleased with the appear- 
ance of the boy and gave him a position as 
an apprentice in the printing office. Mr. 
Breslin closely applied him'self to the task of 
mastering the business in every department 
and detail, and while his days were devoted 
to work his evenings were largely gi\en to 
study. For six years he remained in the 
office. When he was eighteen years of age 
Colonel Medary received a letter from some 
of the leading citizens of Tiffin, Ohio, ask- 
ing him if he knew of a man suitable tO' be- 
come the editor of a Democratic newspaper 
in that city, and Colonel Medary recommend- 
ed John Breslin for the position. Accord- 
ingly he took the stage from Columbus for 
that place and on the 6th of May, 1842, 
jniblished' the first number of the Seneca 
Advertiser, a ])aper which advocated the 
Jacksonian Democratic principles and is still 
in existence, having celebrated its sixtieth 
anniversary .\Liy 6, 1902. In its columns 
we find a quotation from the editorial ^Ir. 
Breslin wrote, and which appeared in its 
first issue. He said. "W'e will endeavor to 
maintain a courteous but decided opinion in 
regard to principles we intend to promul- 
gate," and much more along the same line, 
showing that e\en in his youth that idea of 
right was strongly intrenched. Mr. Breslin 
remained its editor from 1842 until 1854 
and was not long in becoming a recog-nized 
factor in public affairs in that part of the 
state. Well fitted for leadership in iniblic 
thought and action, he studied closelv the 
questions and issues of the day. not only 



J70 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



along political lines but concerning every 
department of life affecting the weal and 
welfare of the state and 'nation. In 1S48 
he was elected to represent Seneca county 
in the Ohio legislature and served so capably 
that he was re-elected. That he was one 
of the most pojjular and able members of the 
house is shown by the fact that he was chos- 
en its speaker. It was an honor which has 
seldom been conferred in the entire history 
of the nation, for he was only twenty-five 
years of age when chosen for that imjiortant 
position. He showed a comprehensive knowl- 
edge of parliamentary law. and was strictly 
impartial and fair in his rulings, never al- 
lowing persona! bias or opinions in any way 
to inllucnce his actions or judgment as the 
ruling member of the assembly. In 1854 
he was elected slate treasurer of Ohio for 
one term and his fidelity to duty in his new 
])ositi()n won for his additional laurels. 

It was wiiile holding the position of state 
treasurer that Hon. Jehu G. Ereslin was 
united in marriage to Anna C. Borland, a 
daughter of Charles and Cynthia (Hart) 
Borland. Her father was born in Harrison- 
burg, Rockingham coimty, \'irginia, May 
16, t8o8, and in 18 16 accompanied his par- 
ents to Franklin county, Ohio, where he at- 
tended school. He learned the printer's 
trade under the direction of Colonel Olm- 
stead. of Coilumbus. and followed that busi/- 
ness continuously in the capital city until 
1839, when he became the editor (»f the 
Richland Whig, at Mansfield. ( )hio. While 
thus cngagcil in journalistic work he began 
the reading of law and later was admitted 
to the bar. whereupon he became an active 
practitioner. He won distinction owing to 



his strong mentality, his inductive mind, his 
logical reasoning and forceful argument. 
He possessed rare gifts of oratory and was 
widely known as a most forceful, entertain- 
ing and effective speaker. He won many 
celebrated cases and his devotion to his cli- 
ents' interests was proverbial. He was a 
man of marked literary tastes and scholarly 
attainments and his broad knowledge added 
to his oratorical ability enabled him to hold 
an audience spell-bound for hours and he 
proba!)ly never addressed any public gather- 
ing when many expressions of regret were 
not heard l)ecause he had concluded his re- 
marks. During the campaign he was a most 
convincing, eloquent and entertaining speak- 
er, and his strong reasoning, his wit and his 
logic carried conviction to the minds of 
many of his hearers. For some years he 
practiced law at the Lancaster bar, but spent 
his last years in retirement, his death oc- 
curring on the 13th of January, 1892, in 
the hcimc of his daughter. Mrs. Breslin, who 
was then living on High street. In his fam- 
ily were five children who are still living, the 
second daughter. Sarah, making her home 
with her sister, Mrs. Breslin. The others 
are Mrs. Xevin, of Dayton, Ohio; C. W., 
who is a civil engineer residing in Colum- 
bus: and W. S., a merchant of Cincinnati. 
He held the position of Indian agent under 
President Taylor, filling the position with 
marked distinct ion. 

^Irs. Breslin pursued her education in 
the private .sch.ools of Lancaster and at St. 
Mary's Convent, at Somerset, Ohio, and 
while \isiting in Columbus she formed the 
acquaintance of Mr. Breslin, who sought 
her haml in marriage. In 1S71 they re- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



271 



moved to Huntington, West Virginia, where 
Mr. Breslin accepted tlie position of general 
ticket agent for the Chesapeake & Ohio' Rail- 
way Comijany, serving" in that capacity un- 
til his death, and after locating there he was 
always known by the title of General Bres- 
lin. Fie was prominently connected with 
several other railroad corporations and im- 
portant enterprises, and was equally suc- 
cessful in business life a.s in politi- 
cal circles. For a year anrl a half he 
resided in Lancaster, and after his death 
his widow again took up her abode in the 
state of her nativity. Mr. Breslin was called 
to his final rest February 22, 1889, and his 
remains were interred in Tiffin, Ohio. A 
train on the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway 
was trimmed in crepe and a special car car- 
ried his remains to Tiffin, where the funeral 
services were in charge of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, with which he had been connected. 
He was a friend of the poor and needy ; a 
man of broad, humanitarian principles and 
of keen outlook into life, its possibilities, its 
duties and its obligations. That he was a 
man of high character, superior worth and 



marked capability is sho'wn by the fact that 
he was an intimate friend of Chief Justice 
Chase, Chief Justice Waite, Ex-President 
Hayes, Hon. Thomas Corwin, Hon. Thomas 
Ewing, Senator Sherman and other cele- 
brated men of Ohio, who have won national 
fame. In his private life he was distin- 
guished by all that marks the true gentle- 
man. His was a noble character: one that 
subordinated personal ambition to public 
good and sought rather the benefit of others 
than the aggrandizement of self. Endowed 
by nature with high intellectual qualities, 
to which were added the discipline and em- 
bellishments of culture, his was a most at- 
tractive personalit}-. In his life-time the peo- 
ple of his state, recognizing his merit, re- 
joiced in his advancement and in the honors 
to \\-hich he attained and since his death they 
have cherished his memory. 

Airs. Breslin is now making her home 
in Lancaster, and occupies a beautiful resi- 
dence at No. 126 East Chestnut street. She 
is most highly esteemed by a large circle of 
friends, manj' of whom have known her 
fmni her childhood davs. 



HOWARD A. BROWN, M. D. 



Dr. Howard A. Brown has for twent}'- age in the line nf his cliosen \-ocation. He 

seven years engaged in the practice of medi- was born ?\[arch 15, 1854, in Sugar Grove, 

cine in Carroll and tlu'oughout this period Fairfield county, a son of Dr. Robert H. 

has enjoved the confidence and good will of and Lucinda (Armstrong) Brown. The fa- 

the public and has received a liberal patron- thcr A\as also a native of this state, having 



272 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



been lioni in Perry county, and was a phy- 
sician. In i8.i7 and 1848 he attended lec- 
tures at wliat is now tlie Starling Medical 
College of Columbus but at that time was 
called the Willoughby Medical College. For 
many years he engaged in practice at Sugar 
Grove with excellent success and there died 
in Xovember. i8t)0, at the age of forty 
years, leaving a widow and four cliildren. 
iMimia ].. the eldest, is the wife of James H. 
Foster, a veteran of the Civil war, who now. 
resides in Sugar Grove. Robert F., a 
farmer, served as auditor of Fairtield coun- 
ty and is now filling the i)osition of deputy 
auditor. Prudence A. is tlie wife of H. M. 
Jackson of Lancaster. The fourth nienil)er 
of the family is the Doctor, whose name in- 
troduces this review. The mother of these 
children was a daughter cif Jolm and T'ru- 
dence ( Sweeny ) .Armstrong, the former a 
native of Pennsylvania and a son of John 
Armstrong, who came to this country from 
England in colonial days. The Armstrong 
family trace their ancestry l)ack to the early 
wars of England, at which time the name 
was P'airchild, and according to tradition it 
was changed in the following manner. Dur- 
ing a battle the King became unhorsed and 
a b'aircliild lifted him up and seated him on 
his own horse, for which service the King 
changed the name to Armstrong. Little is 
known of John Armstrong, the progenitor 
of the family in America, save that he set- 
tled in Pennsylvania. His son. John, Jr., 
was one of the "forty-niners" who went tn 
California during the gold excitement in 
th,at stale. He made his home in Rosevillc, 
Muskingum county. Ohio, where he engaged 
in the pottcrv business, and there ilied. It 



was in that county that his daughter, Mrs. 
Brown, was born. After the death of her 
first husband she became the wife of Jesse 
Stukey, a resident fag[ner of Sugar Grove, 
and unto them was born one son, John J. 
Stukey, who is engaged in tlie practice of 
dentistry in I^ncastcr. 

.\t the usual age Dr. Brown, of this re- 
view, began his education in the ilistrict 
schools and after acquiring a good knowl- 
edge of the literary branches of learning he 
began ])rqiaration for the profession which 
he wished to make his life work by enter- 
ing the office of Dr. 1). X. Kinsman, of Co- 
lumbus, with whom he studied one year. 
He then entered the Starling Medical Col- 
lege, where lie completed a regular course 
and was graduated with the degree of M. 
D. in 1875. During this period he remained 
in the oitice nf Dr. Kinsman. For a few 
months he engaged in practice at his old 
home and then came to Carroll, where lie 
has successfulh' iDJInwed his profession for 
twentA-seven \ears. He was not long in 
demonstrating his ability to successfully 
cope with disease and from the beginning 
he has enjoye<t a good practice, his skill and 
ability ranking him among- the foremost 
members of the profession in this county. 
He not only has a liberal patronage in Car- 
roll but is frerjuently called to distant i)laces 
throughout the state in consultaion over 
critical cases. 

On the irith of December, 1875. Dr. 
Bnnvn was united in marriage to Emma E., 
daughter of Ephraim Ackers, who was 
elected to the positioii of auditor of Fairfield 
county but died before the expiration of his 
term of otlice. Unto the Doctor and his 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



273 



wife liave been born two sons but Robert 
H. died at tlie age of eight years. Archie 
Ackers Brown, born December ^\ . 1877, is 
now being carefully educated an<l it is liDjied 
that he will eventually be the third Dr. 
Brown of Fairfield county. 

Our subject has spent his entire life in 
this county and wherever he is known is 
liked and is held in the highest regard. 
Where he is best known as a plixsician he 
sustains an enviable reputation not only be- 
cause of his comprehensive knowledge but 



of his close adherence to the strict profes- 
sional ethics. His fellow townsmen enter- 
tain for him warm esteem and the circle of 
his friends is almost coextensive with the 
circle of his accjuaintances. The Doctor is 
examiner for the following life insurance 
companies: Mutual Life of New York; 
Pennsylvania Mutual; John Hancock; Fi- 
delity; Union Central and Abnlern Wood- 
men. He was also representative to the 
grand lodges of Masons and Knights of 
P'vthias of Ohio. 



ROBINSON P. WHILEY. 



Robinson P. Whiley is engaged in farm- 
ing and stock raising in Fairfield county, his 
home being in Lancaster. He was born in 
this city on the i8th of May, 1870, his par- 
ents being Thomas B. and Sarah Jane 
(Peters) Whiley. His lather was a nati\e 
of Lincolnshire, England, born in 1832, and 
on emigrating to the United States he en- 
gaged in merchandising in Greenfielil. 
Ohio. In July, i860, he remo\ed to Lan- 
caster, where with his brother Samuel 
Whiley he opened a hardware store. The 
firm of Whiley Brothers continued in opera- 
tion for a number of years but at length the 
business was sold and the brothers, Thomas 
B., Samuel, and Fred C. Wliiley organized 
the Eagle Machine Company in 1870, the 
last named becoming president while Sam- 
uel was secretary. The new enterprise was 



prosperous from the beginning and the ef- 
forts of the father of our subject contrib- 
uted not a little to its result. He continued 
his connection with the company until his 
death, which occurred in 1884. He was a 
practical business man, an excellent finan- 
cier and his well directed elTorts were 
crowned with a high measure of success 
which he justly merited. His name was 
sviionynious with integrity and he was re- 
s]iected f<ir his strong force of character and 
genuine worth. He had a host of warm 
friends which was continually augmented 
as the circle of his acquaintance was ex- 
tend. Thomas B. Whiley was united in. 
marriage to Miss .Sarah Jane Peters of Fair- 
field county. The lady possessed many 
womanly qualities. Her father, Robinson 
J. Peters, born in Maryland in 1797, was 



274 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



an early settlor in Fairfield county and a 
much respected citizen. He married Miss 
Elizabeth Gallagher in 1823. and among 
their chilih'en was Mrs. W'hiiey, who still 
survives her husband and is living at the old 
home place. The resilience is a substantial 
brick structure on tlie Rosebank addition in 
the western part of Lancaster and there amid 
many friends, Mrs. ^\'hiley is spending the 
evening of iilc. She was t)orn on a farm in 
Amanda township, Fairfield county, pur- 
sued lier educati(jn in Granville College. 
Granville. Ohio, and in early life engaged in 
teaching for a numl)er of \ears. On the 
23rd of February, 1869, she became the wife 
of Thomas B. W'hiiey, and is the mother of 
two sons : Thomas B. and Robinson P. 

The latter began his education in the 
pul)lic schools of Lancaster and afterward 
was graduated from the high schools. He 
was reared ujxju the home farm, where he 
Avas born and early trained to habits of in- 
dustry. He was only fourteen years of age 
at tlie time of his father's death but he at 
once began the work of managing the farm 
com])rising sixty acres of choice land, be- 



ing assisted by his mother and brother and 
attenchng school in the meantime. 

He still has charge of the home ])roperty, 
a part of which is within the corporate lim- 
its of Lancaster. They own another farm 
of one hundred acres wliich is pleasantly 
located a mile west of Lancaster. They are 
engaged in feeding hogs and cattle for ex- 
port. Their places are supi)lied with sub- 
stantial barns and sheds, feed lots, racks and 
all necessary equipments for carrying on 
the business. 

Robinson P. Whiley was married in 
1896 to Miss Anna D. Embich of Lancaster, 
a daughter of WHliam C. Embich, one of 
the old and most highly respected citizens 
wiio was for a number of years during the 
early part of his life a leading .shoe mer- 
chant of this place. The young couple en- 
joy the warm regard of many friends and 
the hospitality of a large number of Lan- 
caster's liest homes is extended to them. 
Mr. W'hiiey is a progressive, wide-awake 
young bitsiness man and in his farming and 
and stock feeding enterprises is meeting 
with creditable ami well meritefl success. 



ZACHARY T. STURGEON. 



This portion of Ohio is famous for the 
fine stock raised upon its farms and one of 
the well known dealers and breeders of fine 
horses is Zachary Taylor Sturgeon, of Lan- 
caster, whose business has been a profitable 
one and whose sales have been extensixc. 



He was born in this county in December, 
1848, and represents one of the oldest and 
most honored pioneer families in this portion 
of the state, his father, Thomas Sturgeon, 
ha\ing been born in the village of Lancas- 
ter on the 17th of October, 1808. The 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD: 



275 



grandfather was Timothy Sturgeon, who 
was a nati\'e of Lancaster cumty, Penns_\l- 
vanin. horn about 1780. He spent tlie )-ears 
of his childliood and _\'outli in tlie state of 
his nativity, and in 1803 emigrated west- 
ward witli his family, taking up his abode 
in a Httle Ohio village, which has since be- 
come tlie prosperous and thri\ing county 
seat of Farifield county. Pioneer condi- 
tions surrounded him. A greater part of 
the land was still in possession of the gov- 
ernment and was covered with tall forest 
trees. He aided in laying broad and deep 
the foundation for the present prosperity 
and development of the county, and the 
work which he began has since been carried 
on by those who bear his name. 

Amid the wild scenes of the frontier 
Thomas Sturgeon was reared and man}- 
business interests claimed his attention. At 
dift'erent times he was engaged in merchan- 
dising, in farming and in buying and sell- 
ing stock and twice took a drove of horses 
over the plains to California in 1856. He 
also took a large number of men through to 
the gold fields of California. He was twice 
married, his first union being with Margaret 
Ewing, of Lancaster, and a daughter of 
David Ewing. By this marriage there were 
two children : Maria, the wife of Henry 
Weakly, of Lancaster ; and Ellen, who be- 
came Mrs. Doty and died in Atlanta, 
Georgia, in February, 1882. After the death 
of his first wife Mr. Sturgeon was again 
married, in 1845, ^li'' second union being 
with Miss Matilda Peebles, of Lancaster, 
who was born in Cumberland countv, Penn- 
syK'ania, in April, 1825, antl is a daughter of 
Thomas and Jane (Kennedy) Peebles. She 



was in her eleventh year when she came to 
Lancaster with her mother, who died here 
in 1856. LTnto Thomas and Matilda Stur- 
gcdu were born nine children, ])ut Charlie, 
the eldest, died on the 17th of May, 1874. 
The others are Zachary T., of this review; 
Alargaret J., the wife of C. J. McCleary; 
'Jliomas, of Columbus; Lilla, who has been 
twice married and is now the widow of Dr. 
Hare; Martha Mary, who is the wife of 
Frank Smith, of Taylor, Texas ; Samuel, a 
farmer living in Lancaster; Rose, the wife 
of Rudi_)lph Rising, a prcjminent clothing 
merchant of Lancaster ; and Maude, the wife 
of Edward H. Hall, who is a traveling 
salesman. Mrs. Sturgeon, her daughter, 
Mrs. Hare and her son, Zachary T., of this 
re\-iew, occupy the old family residence, 
which is a large substantial one, built in 
1850. It is in a good state of preservation 
and IS surrounded by a beautiful and well 
kept lawn. jMrs. Sturgeon is still a well 
jireserveti woman in possession of all her 
faculties, and enjox's the high regard of her 
many frientls. 

In the public schools of Lancaster Z. T. 
Sturgeon pursued his primary education, 
after which he went to Poughkeepsie, New 
York, where he took a course at Eastman 
Commercial College. After returning to 
Lancaster he was connected with mercantile 
interests for si.xteen years. Later he tie- 
\'oted his lime and attention to storing ice, 
which he retailed through summer months, 
being thus engaged until 189^), when he 
turned his attention to farming and to breed- 
ing and selling fine horses. He makes a 
specialty of trotters, which he develops for 
speed, and has been the owner of some of 



2/6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the finest horses in Fairfield county, hav- 
ing sold one. Walter Smith, for the sum of 
fourteen hundred dollars. He also owns a 
half-brother of this horse, which is of the 
George Wilkes strain. Recently he has 
erected a fine horse harn on the modern plan. 
He has some fine stock, including sf>me high 



bred stallions. Mr. Sturgeon takes great 
])ride in not only producing fine horses, but 
in develo])ing speed, and can be seen driv- 
ing behind some splendid specimens of the 
noble steed, lie is regarded as a most ex- 
cellent judge of horses and this is an im- 
])ortant element in his success. 



JOHN FRICKER. 



J(jlni I"'rickcr, whose life si)an has cov- 
ered eightv vears, is one of the native sons 
of I' airfield county, his memory forming a 
connecting link between the primitive past 
and the progressive present. He has 
watched w ilh unabated interest the progress 
and devehjpment of the county as it has 
emerged from pioneer conditions, taking on 
all the im])rovements and accessories of 
civilization as manifest in industrial, com- 
mercial and ])rofcssional interests. He has 
been a worthy rejiresentative of agricultural 
pursuits and is now entitled to a well earned 
rest. 

Mr. Pricker was born in the townshij) 
of Heme, March 24, 182J. and is a son of 
John and Margaret ( Xeibing) Pricker. His 
father was a native of Switzerland and 
crossed the .Atlantic to the United States 
early in the nineteenth century. He made 
his way at once to Ohio, locating in I'air- 
field county where he spent his remaining 
days, his death occurring in 1841, when he 
was nearlv sixtv-five vears of age. He lived 



a very industrious and energetic life, and be- 
came a i)rosperous rnul well-to-do man. In 
all of his dealings he was upright and hon- 
orable and he left to his family an untar- 
nished name as well as the material rewaril 
of I'lis labors. Throughout his entire* life he 
carried on general farming. He held mem- 
l)ership in the Reformed church, and its 
principles permeated his actions. His wife 
was a native of Bavaria. They were mar- 
ried in Pairfield county. Mrs. Pricker died 
in 185 1, at the age of sixty-three years. Of 
three children, the subject of this review is 
the only one now living. 

More than sixty years have passed since 
John brickcr located upon the farm, which 
is yet his home to make it his permanent 
abode. He resided in Berne township until 
he was eight years of age, when his parents 
remo\'e<l to Hocking township, settling upon 
the farm which is now his property. In 
the common schools of this locality he ac- 
(|uired his education, pursuing his studies 
through the winter months, while in the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



277 



sunitner season he aided in the work of 
plowing, planting and harvesting. He also 
engaged in teaching school in Hocking 
township in early life, antl is a man of more 
than average intelligence and education. By 
reading, experience and observation he has 
kept well informed on all questions of gen- 
eral interest of the day and is able to support 
his political views by intelligent argument. 
He \-oted with the Democracy until i860, 
when he joineil the ranks of the Republican 
party and has since been a stalwart advocate 
of its principles. He has held the offices of 
school director and township trustee, dis- 
charging the duties of both offices with 
promptness and fidelity, yet he has never 
been a politician in the sense of office seek- 
ing. 

The year 1843 witnessed the marriage 
of Mr. Fricker and ]\Iiss Isabelle Feiste, 
who was born in Baden, Germany, and \vhen 
quite young came to the United States. Her 
death occurred May 9, 1879, when she was 
in her fifty-se\'enth year, at the home resi- 
dence in Hocking township, and man_\- 
friends mourned her loss, for slie possessed 
excellent qualities of heart and mind that 



endeared her tn all who knew her. By her 
marriage she had Ijecome the mother of 
eleven children, of whom three are yet liv- 
ing. Ji)!in S., will) is a blacksmith and re- 
sides in Pleasant\ille, Fairfield county, mar- 
ried a Aliss Bowen and has eight children. 
JNIary is the wife of Christ Kinsler, a resi- 
dent farmer of Hocking township, and they 
have seven children. Elizabeth is the wife 
of Jacob T. Darling, who is living in a por- 
tion of the old home farm. They have four 
children, two sons and two daughters. 

Mr. Fricker belongs to the German 
Lutheran church and his life has e\-er been 
passed in consistent harmony with its teacii- 
ings and principles. His has indeed been an 
honorable career in which he has fully met 
all the obligations of life and the duties de- 
volving upon him. In business he is 
straighforward and relialjle, in citizenship 
loyal, and at all times he has been a faithful 
friend and devoted husband and father. His 
years rest lightly upon him and his friend- 
ship is enjoyed by young and old, rich and 
poor, while throughout the community he is 
held in the highest esteem by all with whom 
he has Ijeen brought in contact. 



JOHN W. REYNOLDS. 

John W. Reynolds, one of the early set- 1835. He is a son of William and Mary- 
tiers and highly respected citizens of Fair- Ann (Hedges) Reynolds, and the family is 
field county, now resides in Hocking town- an old and prominent one in this portion of 
ship. His birth occurred in Madison town- the stale. His father was born in Madison 
ship near Clearport on the 19th of October, township and was a son of Richard Rey- 

15 



27S 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nolds, whose birth occurred in the state of 
Delaware. At a \ery earl\' epoch in the 
liistory of tlie state of Ohio, however, he 
emigrated westward and took up his abode 
in tills county. He died in early manhood, 
when his children were quite small. Will- 
iam Reynolds, the father of our subject, was 
a witness of much of the improvement and 
development of this portion of the state. 
He visited Lancaster before there was a 
railroad there or even a pike had been com- 
pleted in the comity. Farming was his chief 
occupation thrcjugh life, and he followed 
that pursuit in Fairfield county for a .num- 
ber of years and subsequently removed to 
Hocking township, where he made his home 
until his death. There he also devoted his 
energies to the tilling of the soil, and his 
labors resulted in securing large crops. He 
died in 1863 on the fifty-first amiiversary of 
his birth. His political support was given 
the Whig party in his early life, and on its 
dissolution he joined the ranks of the new 
Republican party, which he always endorsed 
by his ballot, I)ut he never sought political 
office as a result for pul)lic fealty. His 
Christian faith was indicated by his member- 
ship in the Methodist church, and he took 
an active part in its work, earnestly striving 
to pronii>te the cause of the denomination. 
His wife was burn in Fairfield county and 
was a daughter of Caleb and Klizal)eth 
Hedges. Her father was one of the old and 
honored settlers in Fairfield county, and 
li\cil and died upon the family hcunestead. 
Mrs. Mary Ann Reynolds still survives her 
husband, and is now residing with one of 
her sons in Delaware countv, (~)hii), at the 



age of eiglity-seven years. She has long 
been a devout member of the Methodist 
church and is beloved by all who know her 
for her many excellent qualities of heart and 
mind. By her marriage she became the 
mother of twelve children, six of whom are 
yet living. 

John \V. Reynolds, the eldest of the 
family, remained in the place of his nativity 
until about thirteen jears of age, when he 
accompanied his parents on their removal 
to HtKking county, remaining with them un^ 
til he had attained the age of twenty-two. 
Three years later he was married, and he 
was twenty-eight years of age when, in re- 
siKinse to the country's call for aid to sup- 
press the rebellion, he enlisted May 4, 1864, 
in Company I, One Hundred Fifty-first 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served 
until August 28, 1864. He was then dis- 
charged at Camp Chase, Columbus, and was 
appointed provost marshal, filling that jx)si- 
tion until the close of the war. When hos- 
tilities had ceased he was relieved from his. 
position through act of Congress just after 
the surrender of General Lee. During the 
greater part of his services with the army he 
was in Washington, being there stationed at 
the time Early made his raid into the north. 
At one time he went to arrest a party of de- 
serters. They resisted, and in the fight 
whicii followed Mr. Reynolds had his shoul- 
der dislocated, the bones of his right wrist 
broken and his skull mashed. The attend- 
ing physician said he might live a nidiith, 
but not longer. Owing to his wonderful 
constitution he rapidly recovered, but to this 
d.nv he suffers fr<»ni the effects of the fijrlit. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



-79 



Pri( r Id his cnli.-tment in the regular arm\-. 
Mr. l\e_\'ni Ids was a ineml.er of the State 
^Militia and after the outbreak uf war he 
was appointed enrolling officer, but just as 
the apixiintment came he enlisted and never 
ser\-ed, Init held the office just the same, as 
another man served in his place while he 
was acting as marshal. After his final dis- 
charge he returned to Fairfield county and 
has .-^ince been identified with its agricult- 
ural interests. Some time after he also 
erected the mill which he has since conduct- 
ed. It is a water power mill, operated by 
the head waters of the Hocking river, the 
.supply coming from springs in its immedi- 
ate vicinity. J\Ir. Reynolds is well known 
in connection with agricultural and intel- 
lectual interests, and in business circles. He 
sustains aji unassailable reputation, for his 
actions have ever been guided by the strict- 
est business ethics. Before and after the 
war ^Ir. Reynolds traveled all over Ohio, 
engaged in installing mill machinery and 
repairing steam engines, as he is one of the 
m( St skilled mechanics in the state, but in 
recent years, owing to his poor eyesight, he 
has remained at home. 

In 1859 ^Ir. Reynolds led to the mar- 
riage altar Miss Maria E. Biaird, wdio was 
born in Hocking county, Ohio, and died 
abnut twenty-six years ago. She was the 
mother of nine children, all daughters : 
Sarah E. became the wife of Salem B. 
Pierce, a farmer of Ringgold, Ohio, by 
whom she has three children, Biirley, Ray 
and Dorcas. Mary Dorcas died at the age 
of thirteen years. Elizabeth is the wife of 
Richard Havden, of Richwood, Union coun- 



ty, Ohio, where he is lolli.wing- farming. 
The}- also have three children, William, 
Pearl and Richard. Catherine is the wife 
of Peter Moyer, a resident farmer of Mari<jn 
county, Ohio, and unto them have been born 
three children : Bessie, Flovd and Zelda. 
Electa is at home. Zelda is li\-ing in Co- 
lumbus. Minnie is the wife of James Love. 
Cora married Jasper Creiglon, of Lancas- 
ter. Alice is the wife of Samuel Pugh, of 
South Perry, Hocking count}', Ohio. One 
child of this family died in infanc}'. 

After the death of his first wife Mr. 
Reynolds was again married, his second w'ife 
being Miss Nancy \^'indland, who* was born 
in Monroe county, Ohio, and passed awaj 
about thirteen years ago. She was a de 
voted and faithful member of the Christian 
churcl: and her loss was mourned not only 
by her immediate family but liy many 
friends. She was the mother of seven chil- 
dren : Thomas is a blacksmith, engaged in 
business in Lancaster, Ohio. He married 
Meda Howard an<l has one child. Elmer, 
whose home is in Buena \'ista, Hocking 
county, is married and has one child. George 
Elwood, a twin of Elmer, is at home. He 
was a soldier in the Spanish-. \merican war, 
being a member of Company I, I'ourth Ohio 
A'olunteer Infantry. Miriam Vaughan, 
Marietta and Frank are still under the pa- 
rental roof, and an infant died unnamed. 

Mr. Reynolds has figured in public af- 
fairs, having served as constable of Hock- 
ing township for some years. He votes with 
the Republican party and keeps well in- 
formed on the issues of the day, so that he 
is enabled to support his position by intel- 



2oO 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ligciit argument. He was formerly a niem- 
l)er i>f tlie Methodist church, but is now 
unidentilied with any religious denomina- 
tion. In matters of citizen.ship he is always 
loyal to what he believes is upright and hesi- 
tates not in his support of any measure 
which he thinks will promote the weal of 



county, state or nation. Wherever known 
he is liighly commended and respected for 
his genuine worth. He is a man of pleas- 
ing disposition, courteous deixirtment and 
genial temperament and his circle of friends 
is almost co-extensive with his circle of ac- 
quaintances. 



GEORGE MATT. 



The Teutonic race has ever been one of 
progress and its representatives have stead- 
ily followed the star of empire westward. 
It has been an important factor in the col- 
onization of .America and in the labor which 
has wrought to the general good along in- 
dustrial and commercial lines. The repre- 
sentative of this mighty division of the 
world's people is George Matt, whose name 
is so closely asociated with the varied busi- 
ness interests of Lancaster that no histor}' 
of tlic city would he coni])lete with extended 
nicntiini of his life recurd. \o other man 
has contributed in a greater degree to the 
general [irosperity tliat has been secured 
thr(.ugh the establishment and successful 
control of ini])(irtnnt Inisiness concerns. 

.\Ir. Matt was born in Ravensburg in 
the kingdom of W'urtemberg. Ciermany, X<> 
vember 6, 1842, and is a son of John and 
Maria (Leser) Matt, the latter a daughter 
of Joso])h and .\nna Lcser, who were resi- 
dents of the same city. In his native land 
lie attended the public schools 1)etween the 



years 1848 and 1854, and in September of 
the latter year he accompanied bis parents 
on their voyage, across the broad Atlantic, 
the faniily taking up their a1x)de in Lan- 
caster, Ohio. For a Hmited jjeriod he at- 
tended the parocliial school of St. Mary's 
church and afterward was a student in the 
private school taught by Professor Roscoe 
in Lancaster and also one taught by Pro- 
fessor Martin Hill, in the room now known 
as the MitofY Parlor, then in the Swan Ho- 
tel. Eighteen months covered his entire 
English schonl, bm his knowledge has been 
greatly broadened through experience, ob- 
servation and reading. 

To give in detail a history of his business 
life would be to relate the story of the in- 
dustrial and commercial development of 
Lancaster, but it affords the historian pleas- 
ure to mention the many business enterprises 
which owe their development and success to 
him. It is true that the days have not 
.ilways been bright, that he has witnessed 
the approach of clouds threatening disas- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



283 



trous storms, but liis rich inheritance of 
pluck and energy' have enabled him to turn 
defeat into^ success. His principal business 
interest at the present time is that of fire 
insurance, for he is in cmitrol of the leading 
agency of Lancaster, a position which has 
been maintained by him through many years. 
He has placed more premiums on the tax 
duplicate than all agencies put together and 
he represents the leading American and 
English companies. He" is president of the 
Lancaster Gas Light & Coke Company. In 
18S7 he became interested in the artificial 
gas plant in this city, in which he invested 
considerable money. Six months later nat- 
ural gas was discovered, making this ven- 
ture disastrous from a financial standpoint, 
though the company is still doing business 
in a modest way, awaiting for better results 
when ,the inevitable exhaustion of the nat- 
ural gas supp'l}' shall cmne. In 18S3 he 
became a member oi the Lancaster City Hall 
& Opera House Company, now known as the 
Hotel Martin. This was a financial failure, 
although money was lost to none except the 
stockholders, wlm met all obligate ns to the 
cent. The institution is now prospering and 
has I>econie an important factor in Lancas- 
ter business circles. Mr. Alatt is likewise 
l)reiident of the Lancaster Electric Light 
Com; any. He was formerly vice-president 
of the Old rierman Building Association 
and at the death of Philip Nester succeeded 
tci the presidency. He was president o^f the 
Mount Pleasant Sa^'ings & P>uil(ling Com- 
pany from the time of its organization until 
the Ijusiness was closed, each shareholder 
being paid in full. Of the Citizens' Loan 
& Building Company he was the chief e.x- 



ecuti\'e from its organization until it closed 
its business, in which also^ all shareholders 
were fully paid. On the organization of the 
Perpetual Savings & Building Company he 
became its president and as such continued 
to manage its affairs until August, 1901, 
when he resigned his office, leaving the com- 
pany in a most flourishing condition. He as- 
sisted in forming the New Plan Savings & 
Loan Company, of \\-hich he is a director. 
His keen insight into business transactions, 
the rapidity with which he takes cognizance 
of a situation and brings therefrom the best 
results and his marked aliility in utilizing 
seeming obstacles to serve his purpose, have 
led to the prosperous conduct of manv im- 
portant institutions. 

On the 6th of .April, 1863, was celebrat- 
ed the marriage of Mr. Matt and Miss Hel- 
ena Hite, a daughter of Joseph and Mary 
( Buechler) Hite, of Lancaster. Their union 
has been blessed with six children : Frank, 
who is in the insurance business ; George L., 
who is a graduate of the electrical engineer- 
ing department of .Xrmour Institute in Chi- 
cago, Illinois; Edward, a twin brother of 
George L., who attended St. Mary's Insti- 
tute at Dayton, Ohio-, and is now secretary 
and general manager of the Lancaster Gas 
(■v: Electric Light Companv, while pre\'ious 
to the assumption of the duties of this of- 
fice he was superintendent of the Paducah 
(jas Light Company, of Paducah. Kentucky; 
Harry B., who represents the farm depart- 
ment of the Home Insurance Comp;in\- and 
acts as his father's stenograjiber ; and John 
and Helen, who are attending school. 

.\lr. Matt is a man of recognized abil- 
ity, is iHiblic-spirited and progressive, and 



284 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



stands high in lx>th business and social cir- 
cles. He takes a commendable interest in 
promoting the welfare of his city, encourag- 
ing and financially aiding all enterprises 
tending to benefit the public, and enjoys in 
a high degree the confidence and esteem 
of his fellow men. In politics Mr. ]\Iatt 
has always been a supporter of the men and 
measures of the Democratic party, and was 
elected trustee of the city water works, for 
six years the same Ijcing owned by the city, 
and was the secretary three years of the 
time. For six years he was a member of 
the board of health of Lancaster and dur- 
ing a portion of that time acted as its sec- 
retary. He is a member of tiie Board of 
Trade and is its treasurer. In all public 
offices he has discharged his duties in such 
a prompt and capable manner that his course 
has won high encomiums from the people. 
For the past twenty-five years be has been 



a member of the board of trustees of St. 
Mary's Catholic church and its secretary. 
He has been and now is an honorary mem- 
ber of the Young Men's Institute, a Cath- 
olic organization. Social, intellectual, ma- 
terial and moral interests have received from 
him substantial support and co-operation, 
while his business affairs have been of such 
an important character that they have con- 
tributed not alone to his individual suc- 
cess but have been a leading element in pro- 
moting the general prosperity and in ad- 
vancing the upbuilding of the city in which 
almost his entire life has been passed, his 
resolute character brooking no obstacles that 
could be overcome, and that determined and 
honoral)le position has Ijeen of the greatest 
benefit to the county and his name is en- 
rolled high among those whose lives have 
ever l)een along the lines of the greatest 
usefulness. 



FRANKLIN P. STUKEY, M. D. 



The life iiistory of Franklin V. Stukey 
sets at naught the old adage that ri prophet 
is never without honor save in his own 
country, for in the county of his nativity the 
Dtx'tor has won distinction, gradually ad- 
vancing to a prominent place" among the 
representatives of the medical profession. 
H'e was born upon a farm in Fairfield coun- 
ty. February lo, 1833. His father. John 
Stukcv, was a native of Pennsvlvania, iK.rn 



in the year 1816, and there he spent his boy- 
hood days. In 1828 he came to Fairfield 
county with his parents, Samuel and Mary 
(Freeman) Stukey, who settled upon a 
farm comprised of one hundred and seven- 
teen acres. J<i]ni Stukey liecame identified 
witii ag"ricuitur;d iiin^suits in this locality 
an<l for many years followed general farm- 
ing and stock raising. He was a |>rosperous 
citizen, a good neighljor, a faithful friend 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



285 



and was held in high esteem by all who 
knew him. For twenty-one years he capably 
served as justice of the peace, his fair and 
impartial decisions 'Svinning him golden 
opinions from all sorts of people." Many 
cases were brought before him and his opin- 
ions were seldom reversed. In earlv life he 
engaged in teaching school and was closely 
associated with the development and prog- 
ress of the county in man}" wavs. His politi- 
cal faith was that i>f the Democracv and he 
strongly endorsed the principles of the 
party. He married Mary Ann Friesner, 
who was burn in Fairfield countv in 1821, 
on the farm which is known as the old 
homestead, and is still in possession of the 
Stukey family. Her father, Andrew Fries- 
ner. was one of the pioneer settlers of Berne 
township. Unto the parents of our subject 
were born five sons : Franklin' P. ; Samuel 
A., v.dio is a building contractor and resides 
in Franklin county, Ohio; George ^^'., who 
has made Alaska his home for the past fif- 
teen years and has large interests in- three 
rich gold nfines in that territory: Jes.se M.. 
a practicing physician of Lancaster; and 
John H., a dentist of that city, both enjoy- 
ing lucrati\-e practices. The father of tins 
family was called to his final rest in 1896, 
at the age of eighty years. 

Dr. Franklin P. Stnkey spent his boy- 
hoo'd days upoin the home farm and in his 
youth attended the district schools, his study 
being alternated by the pleasure of the play- 
ground and the work of the fields, for at an 
early date he assisted in the de\'elopment 
and cultivation of the home place. When 
only seventeen years of age he began teach- 
ing in tlie district schools and followed that 



profession through eight winter terms. He 
further continued his own education as a 
student in the National Normal School at 
Lebanon, Ohio, and wdien he ended his work 
as an instructor in the schoolroom he took 
up Ih.e study of medicine, reading' under the 
direction of Dr. S. S. Scoville, of Lebanon. 
He was afterward graduated in the Ken- 
tucky School of Medicine at Louisville, 
Kentucky, in 1881, and after his graduation 
he licated in Lancaster, vvhere he engages 
in general practice. Soon his business in- 
creased in ^'olume and importance and to- 
day he is accounted one of the mo,st success- 
ful and cajialile physicians of the city, but he 
has not confined his attention alone to his 
professional duties. His inventive turn of 
mind won for him the "Reward of Genius," 
a gold and silver medal of 1896. He is the 
inventor and patentee of several useful and 
novel devices, the latest of which is a frame 
to be used in operating and Iiolding storm 
curtains on buggies and othei- \'ehicles, and 
he is now establishing a malleable iron plant 
in Lancaster for the purpose of mamifactur- 
ing these frames and doing malleable work 
generally. This plant promises to be one of 
the most valuable additions tn the manu- 
facturing industries of the city. 

Tn 1882 occurred the marriage of Dr. 
Stukey and Miss :\Iary E. Sclnvenke, of 
Sugar Gro\-e, Ohio, a daughter of Henry 
Sclnvenke, a native of Germany and an early 
settler cf Fairfield county. Unto the Doc- 
tor and his wife have been borni three chil- 
dren : Grace F.vylin, who died at the age of 
eight months: Frank Tl.; and l^Jaymon.l ]-.. 
Fraternally Dr. Stukey is connected with the 
Modern Woodmen of .\merica. the Fra- 



2»6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tenial Mystic Circle and the American In- 
surance Union, and politically he affiliates 
with the Democratic party, but has no time 
or desire to seek public office, preferring to 
give his attention to his business interests. 
In connection with his profession he most 
creditably served one term as physician to 
the Boys" Industrial School, and for the past 
eight years has been physician to the Fair- 



lield County Infirmary. He has always been 
a close student, interested in the profession 
not only because of his love for the science 
but l>ecause of his earnest desire to aid those 
who are suffering from disease. His com- 
prehensive study and broad reading and the 
accuracy with which he adapts his knowl- 
edge have made him a very successful and 
prominent physician of Fairfield county. 



WILLIAM H. MYERS. 



As long as history records the deeds of 
valor and bravery enacted on the battlefields 
of the Civil war so long will the men who 
wore the blue in the defen.se of the Union 
be honored fur what they accomplished in 
behalf of their country. William H. Myers 
was one of the loyal sons that Ohio sent to 
the front, and, although but a young man, 
be was most true to bis duty and must faith- 
ful in its discharge. 

A native of Rush Creek township, Fair- 
field county, he was bom March 17. 1843. 
His father. Francis Myers, was a native of 
Gettysburg, PeniDsylvania. where his l)irth 
<xcurred in 1816. When two years old be 
■was brought to Fairfield county. Ohio, by 
liis parents. Francis and Catherine Myers, 
who settled in the vicinity of Bremen in 
iSiS. The grandfather of our subject was 
a farmer by occupation and entered a tract 
of land from the government. l)ecoming the 
owner of one hundred and sixty acres on 
section 21, Rush Creek township. In addi- 



tion to other valuable traits, he was also 
fruniliar with the tanning business, and for 
a mmiljer of years oi>erated a tamiery in 
Rush Creek township, in connection with 
agricultural pursuits. The leather which he 
made was of a su])erior quality aral was in 
great demand to be used for half-soleing 
and also manufacturing shoes. He was 
thus closely associated with the business in- 
terests of the county at an early day. His 
death occurretl in 1S53, while his wife 
passed away in 1859. ^'^ their family were 
five sons and four daughters, namely : 
John: Michael: Joseph: b'rancis; Jacob; 
Margaret ; Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph 
Snyder: Christina, the wife of John S. Sny- 
der: and Catherine, all of whom are now 
deceased. 

I'^-ancis Myers, the father of our subject, 
was reared amid pioneer condition's on the 
old home farm in this county aud when he 
had attained to m.an's estate he sought as a 
companion and helpmate for life's journey 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



287 



Miss Elizabeth Hutchinson. Slie was Ixirn 
in Rusli Creek townsliip in 18 jo and was a 
dausjhter of James and Margaret Hutcliin- 
son. who remi-.\ed from ^'irg■inia to Oliio in 
1818, taking- up their abode near Salem and 
after a short time locating in Rush Creek 
township, where the mother of our subject 
was born. After his marriage Francis 
^I}'ers located upon a farm, where, in con- 
nection with the cultivation of the crops best 
adaptetl to the soil and climate, he also en- 
gaged in stock-raising. In politics he was 
an old-line ^^'hig and later he became a 
Prohibitionist. He died on his eighty acre 
farm in October, 1896, hav.ing for a number 
Oif years survived his wife, who died in Sep- 
tember, 1879. 

Their only child was \A'illiam H. Myers, 
of this review. He attended the \illage 
schools at Bremen, afterward continuing his 
studies in Rush Creek Academy and later 
in the Lancaster Normal School, where lie 
prepared for teaching, being first employed 
in Bremen, where he remained for two 
terms. For eighteen years he was identified 
with educational work, his labors in that 
direction being extraordinary through their 
private influence. He spent ti\'e vears as a 
teaclier in Bremen and the remainder oi the 
time in Rush Creek township. When the 
country became involved in civil war he 
felt that his first duty was to the Union and 
in i86j enlisted in the Union army as a 
member of Comjjany B. Fifty-ninth Ohio 
Voilunteer Infantry, under the command of 
Captain Henry S. Abbot and Colonel L. J. 
Jackson. He had joined a tln-ee months' 
regiment, which was sent to A'irginia, ser\-- 
ing there for four nionllis. On the 30th of 



July, 1864, however, Mr. Myers re-enlisted, 
l>ecoming a member of Company D, One 
Hundred and Eighty-seventh Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry, In a skirmish at Resaca, 
Georgia, his command captured twentv-two 
hundred persons under General Wolford. 
Th.ey were soon after paroled on account of 
the tennination of the war. On the 9th of 
February, 1866, IMr. [Myers received an hon- 
orable discharge from army service and re- 
turned to his old home on the farm in Rush 
Creek township. 

At about that time our subject was 
united in .marriage to Miss Mary Cook, of 
Athens county, who was Ijorn in Morgan 
county, Oliio. They became the parents of 
two sons, but one died in early childhood. 
The other, diaries E., has married Miss 
Mary M. Nisley. of Rush Creek tcnvnship, 
and is a resident of this county. The mother 
has also passed away. ]\Ir. Myers, of this 
review, gives his political support to the Re- 
publicans, and is a member of Rushville 
Lodge. Xo. Jti. F. & A. M. He likewise 
belongs to Joe T. Toland Po.st, G. A. R., and 
to the Union \'eteran LTnion, and with his 
comrades takes delight in recounting the 
scenes and incidents of the late war. His 
efforts in liehalf of educational interests 
were of great value. He hail the ability to 
imjiart clearly and concisely to others the 
knowledge he had acquired, and inspired his 
pu])ils with his own zeal and interest in the 
work. He diid nnich to promote intellectual 
])rogress in the community and his worth 
was widely acknowledged in educational 
circles. .\t the present time he is li\-ing- re- 
tired, enjoying a rest which he has richly 
earned. 



288 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ANDREW J. MUSSER. 



Extensive agricultural and stock raising 
interests claim the attention of Andrew- 
Jackson Musser, whose operations along this 
line have hrought to him splendid success. 
He has also been prominent in public af- 
fairs and at one time served as the treasurer 
of Fairfield county. He was born in Wal- 
nut township, this county, on the 2nd of 
July, 1832. and is of Swiss lineage. His 
paternal grandfather, John Musser. was 
born in the land of the Alps and with his 
family crossed the broad Atlantic to America 
in 1 79-1 . establishing his home in Somerset 
county, Pennsyhania, at which place his 
wife died. A few years afterward he re- 
moved from the Keystone state to Fairfield 
county, Ohio, where he arrived in 1799. 
The tri]) was made down the Ohio river and 
up the Hocking river in a flat boat, in which 
was loaded all of the family belongings, the 
l)oat being pushed along by poles. John 
Musser and his family took up their abode 
in what is now known as Walnut township 
in the midst of a tract of dense timber land. 
Indians were far more numerous in this re- 
gion than the white settlers and stalketl 
throiinh the forest engaged in hunting and 
in other pursuits common to the red race. 
Arriving at their destination, Mr. Musser 
erected a small log cabin and with the aid of 
his sons at once began to clear and develop 
the little farm, purchasing a tract of eighty 
acres. This he afterward sold and removed 
to Berne township, where he iivprovetl a 
small tract of land, spending his remaining 
days thereon. His entire life was devoted 



to agricultural pursuits. In his faniil)- were 
three sons and a daughter, namely : Henrv. 
John, Ulric, and Catherine. 

Ulric IMusser, the ycjungest son, was the 
father of our subject. He was born in 
Switzerland and was only seven years of 
age when the famil\ emigrated to the new 
world. The greater part of his youth was 
passed in Walnut township, where he at- 
tended the subscription schools, for at that 
time the public school system was not es- 
tablished. His educational privileges, how- 
ever, were limited to a few months attend- 
ance during the winter season for through- 
out the remainder of the year his services 
were needed in the work of clearing the 
home and developing crops, which brought 
to the family a livelihood. When he had at- 
tained to man's estate, he married Eliza- 
l>eth Frye. who was born in Rockingham 
coiuity. Virginia, in 1793. and was a little 
maiden of six summers when brought to 
Fairfield county by her parents who settled 
on the Hocking Flats, bordering the Hock- 
ing river, their home lieing in the neighbor- 
hood known as llie Stukey settlement. 
IMany were the hardships aiu! privations 
endured by these pioneer farmers, far from 
ci\ ilization. Their homes were small and 
they had to depend upon what they could 
raise for a living. After their marriage 
Ulric Musser and his wife took up their 
abode in Fairfield county, where he was act- 
ive!} engaged in clearing a farm, which he 
afterward sold preparatory to ranoving to 
Walnut township. In the latter locality he 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



2S9 



took up his abode on the border of Clear 
creek, where he improved and cultivated a 
farm until his death, which occurred in 
1852. His wife, wlio survived him for a 
number of years, afterward married Conrad 
Ifite. When the war of 1812 was in prog- 
ress Ulric Musser joined the American 
forces under Captain Sanderson, the com- 
pany lia\ing- been raised in. Lancaster. He 
was a loyal and valued suldier, remaining 
with his compan\- until his services were no 
longer needed. It was in 1815 that he mar- 
ried Miss Frye, and throughout his remain- 
ing days he carried on general farming and 
stock-raising with gix>d success, so' at the 
time (y{ his death he possessed four hun- 
dred and twenty acres of rich land. Al- 
tliougii his educational advantages were lim- 
ited, he possessed sound common sense, a 
strong purpose and force of character, 
which enabled him to accjuire a handsome 
competence and also to win the respect of 
his fellow men. In his political views he 
was a Jacksonian Democrat, and his re- 
ligious faith was that of the German Re- 
formed church. His wife, who' long sur- 
vived him. reached the advanced age of 
ninety-six years and died in 1889, By her 
first marriage she became the mother of 
seven children, namely : Henry, a prosper- 
ous farmer of this county; Daniel, who' died 
in 1897; Abraham, who is engaged in busi- 
ness in partnership with our subject : Sarah, 
the widow of Thomas B. Warner ; Elizabeth, 
now Mrs. Gilmore ; and j\Irs. Lydia Ashley, 
All are yet residents of Fairfield county. 

In retrospecting one can see Andrew J. 
Musser as a little farmer boy making his 



way from home in the morning to the dis- 
trict schools and returning in the evenings. 
He also performed such a part of the farm 
work as his age and strength would permit. 
He lost his father when he was on.ly four- 
teen years of age and thus was early thrown 
i>n his own resources, so that he was vari- 
ousl}- employed in any way which would 
yield him an honest li\'ing until he \yas 
twenty-one }ears of age. At that time he 
entered into partnership with his brother 
Abraham and they began dealing iu' horses, 
which they prepared for the market. Later 
they turned their attention to hogs anil cat- 
tle and became Isreeders and feeders O'f both, 
feeding one hundred steers annually and a 
large number of hogs. This business they 
conducted \-ery successfully from 185 1 until 
1901, with the exception of four years when 
Andrew J. Alusser filled tlie office of county 
treasurer. He was elected to that position 
in 1893 and entered upon his duties in Sep- 
tember, 1894. Chosen for the second term, 
he continued in oflice four years, accjuitting 
himself carefully as a trustworthv and reli- 
able official. On his retirement from office 
he resumed active business in connection 
with his brother in feeding and dealing in 
hogs and cattle. Together they carried 011 
their extensive farm, comprising more than 
fi\'e hundred acres under a high state of cul- 
tivation. They also have good dwellings, 
I)arns, sheds, feedyards and stock pens ; in 
fact, their farm is supplied with all modern 
facilities for carrying on their liusincss, is 
equipped with the latest improved ma- 
chinery an<l is justly accounted one of the 
best farm properties of the community. Our 



290 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



subject alst) superintends another farm of 
one hundred and sixty acres in Bloom town- 
ship, wliich belongs to his wife. 

Mr. Musser has been twice married. He 
first wedded Augusta Taylor, of Walnut 
township, a daughter of John and Catherine 
(Lamb) Taylor. She died in 1873. leaving 
three children: Clay; Nellie, the wife of 
Charles Lamb; and Joseph, now living in 
Montana. For his second wife Mr. Musser 
chose Elizai>eth Courtright, of Bloom tmvn- 
ship. where she was born and reared, her 
parents being Zepheniah and Sarah (\\^ill- 
iams) Courtright. Six children have been 
born to this union, of whom five are yet liv- 
ing, namely : Zepheniah, who is clerking 
for the natural gas board of Lancaster; 
Ray and Andrew J., who are actively con- 
nected in farming pursuits and are now feed- 
ing hogs ;uid cattle; and Roderick and Fan- 
nie, who are yet in school. 

Politically Mr. Musser has always affili- 
ated with the Democracy, and is often seen 
in the councils of the party. He takes an 
active interest in local, county and state poli- 



tics but never to the neglect of his extensive 
business. He is prominent in Ma.sonry, be- 
longing to Baltimore Lodge, F. & A. M. ; 
Chapter, R. A. M. ; and Lancaster Com- 
mandery, K. T. Since 1894, when he re- 
mo\ed from his farm to Lancaster to enter 
upon the duties of the office of county treas- 
urer, he has continued to reside hi the coun- 
ty seat and has a neat and comfortable home 
on Fast Main street. From the early age 
of fourteen years A. J. Musser has dqiended 
entirely upon- his ovvn resources for advance- 
nicnt and the success which is accorded his 
efforts is the merited reward of his labors. 
He has encountered obstacles and difficul- 
ties which would have utterly discouraged 
many men of less resolute spirit, but with 
determined purpose he has pushed forward, 
and his indefatigable industry and capable 
management have enabled him to become 
one of the substantial citizens of Fairfield 
countv. while his straightforward business 
methods have commended him to the con- 
fidence and good will of all witli whom lie 
comes in contact. 



THOMAS J. MacDONOUGH. 



Practical industry wisely and vigorously by simple means and the exercise of the or- 

applieil never fails of success; it carries a dinary qualities of common sense and per- 

man onward and u])ward, brings out his in- severance. 'I'he every-day life, with its 

dividual ciiaracter and acts as a i^owerful cares, necessities and duties, affords ajiiple 

stimulus to the efforts of others. The opi-)ortunities for acquiring experience of 

greatest results in life are usually attained tin- 1 e>t kind, and its most bcalcn ])alhs pro- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



291 



\'ide a true worker with abundant scope for 
effort and for self-improvement. It is along 
such lines that Mr. MacDonough has won 
a place prominent in liusine^s circles. 

I'iiomas J. MacDonough is president of 
the city council as well as a recognized fac- 
tor in industrial interests in Fairfield coun- 
ty, and his life record cannot fail to prc>\c 
of interest to many of our readers. He 
was born in Marietta, Ohi>i, June 18, 1856. 
His parents were Laurance and Ann (Stan- 
kard) MacDonough. The father was born 
in county Gahvay, Ireland, and there was 
married to Miss Stankard, whose birth also 
occurred in that locality. Believing that 
they might have better opportunities for ac- 
quiring a competence in the new world, they 
sailed for the United States in 1848 with 
their family, then numbering five children. 
Taking up their abode in Marietta, Ohio, 
the father became a contractor on the 
Memphis & Cincinnati Railroad, which 
afterward became a part of the Baltimore 
& Ohio Railroad system. For a number oi 
years Mr. MacDonough was thus engaged 
in contracting, constructing road beds, lay- 
ing ties and doing other such work neces- 
sary to the building- of a road. After an 
active and useful business career he passed 
away in Marietta, in 1883, being survived 
by his wife for six years. 

In the schools of his native city Thomas 
J. MacDonough pursued his early educa- 
tion and later attended a parochial school. 
On putting aside his text-books he began 
learning the more difficult lessons in the 
school of experience, his training being re- 
ceived at the carpenter's bench under the 
direction of his elder brother, Michael, in 



Marietta. \Mien he had mastered the busi- 
ness he removed to Crawfordsville, Indiana, 
where he followed his trade for two years 
in connection with what was called the 
Dan\ille InU is now the Panhandle Railroad. 
In 1 88 1 he came to Lancaster, where he en- 
tered the employ of the Hocking Valley 
Railway as a bridge carpenter, and soon 
afterward was promoted to foreman, while 
later lie became superintendent of the bridge 
department, having charge of this branch of 
work along their various lines. He thus 
engaged in the constructing of bridges, cul- 
verts, depots and other necessar\- buildings, 
having supervision of some two hundred 
and forty-eight miles and ten gangs of men 
and bridge builders, carpenters and stone 
masons. It is also a part of his duty to 
supply engines for flag stations. His posi- 
tion is one recjuiring not only a compre- 
hensive knowledge of mechanical principles 
and practical skill along the various lines 
of construction, but is one invoh'ing great 
responsibility, for work which is nut of a 
high grade might be very detrimental to the 
safe conduct of the trains over the lines, 
causing perhaps loss of life or property. Mr. 
MacDonough, however, is thoroughl_\- com- 
petent to discharge the onerous duties which 
devolve upon liim. He is an expert me- 
chanic himself and is thus capable of having 
charge of the work of the men and testing 
their efficiency, and his long serx'ice in the 
employ of the companv, covering twenty- 
one consecutive years, is an indication of 
the im])licit trust and responsibility reposed 
in him. 

In 1885 Mr. MacDonough was united 
in marriage to Miss Clara Zink, a daughter 



292 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Sylvester and Mary (Raser) Zink, of 
Lancaster. Unto our subject and his wife 
have been born three children, but only one 
is living, George Harold. In his political 
views Mr. MacDonough is a stalwart Dem- 
ocrat and takes great interest in the success 
of his party, using his influence and aid in 
behalf of its growth and progress. His fel- 
low townsmen, recognizing his worth and 
ability, have frequently called him to public 
office. In 1896 he was chosen a representa- 
tive of the third ward in the city council, 
and so capably did he serve that he has been 



three times elected to the position, acting as 
its president continuously since 1896. He 
has also served as president of the city li- 
brary, and his aid and co-oiieration are 
freely given to all measures for the general 
good. He has taken an active part in vari- 
ous enterprises that have pnxmoted the 
n^.ritcrial, siKial and intellectual upbuilding 
of his adopted city, and in the community 
where he has so long resided he has won 
the confidence and respect of his fellow men 
and the warm friendship of many with 
whom he is associated. 



GEORGE E. HOFFMAN. 



George E. Hoffman, now deceased, was 
for many years a respected citizen of Fair- 
field oninty and though he lived a quiet and 
retiring life, he enjoyed in high measure the 
confidence and good will of many friends. 
He was l)i)rn in Franklin county, Pennsyl- 
vania, on the _'9th of March, 1825. His fa- 
ther, Jacob Hoffman, was also a native of 
Pennsylvania and removed to Ohio when 
his son was only fcmr years of age, taking 
up his abode in Fairlicld CDunty, so that our 
subject acquired his education in the com- 
mon schools of this portion of the state. He 
attended, for alxjut three months each year 
— the winter seasons. The temple of learn- 
ing was a little log school house, lighted by 
a window as long as one side of the room, 
for it was made by omitting one of the logs 



in 1)uilding the structure. The lloor was 
matle of puncheon and slab benches without 
backs were used as seats for the children, 
the feet of the little ones lacking several 
inches of touching the floor. After tlie 
primitive manner of the times George E. 
Hoffman continued his education until about 
eighteen years of age. In the meantime he 
had become familiar with the various de- 
partments <if farm work upon the nld family 
homestead, situated about three miles west 
of I^ncastcr. The place comprised one 
hundred and forty-eight acres of good land 
and there our subject remained with his fa- 
ther until liis marriage, when he purchased 
the farm upon which his widow is still liv- 
ing and which was his home for a half a 
centurv. Within its boundaries are com- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



293 



prised one hundred and thirty-seven acres 
of land, wliich througli the passing }-ears 
has resi)onded ti:> the cultix'ation and im- 
provement of Mr. Hoil:"niaii, wliose eftHrts 
transformed it into a richly developed home- 
stead. 

In 1850 occurred the marriage of 
George E. Hoffman and Miss Marietta 
Peters, a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, 
and a daughter of Wesley and Elizabeth 
(Ingmai]) Peters; the former a native of 
2^Iar}land and the latter of \'irginia. In 
her parent's family were nine children : 
Samuel G., deceased: Henry ^Villiam, who 
is living in Hocking township; Mrs. Hoff- 
man ; James, a resident of Berne township ; 
Isabelle, the wife of Thomas Strode, of 
Hocking township; Silas P., who has passed 
away; Sophia, the wife of Henry Ewalt, of 
Ivansas; John Wesley, living in Springfield; 
and Sarah Elizabeth, who became the wife 
of James Davidson, of Champaign, Illinois. 
]\Jrs. Hoffman was born November _'i, 
iSjc), and by her marriage became the moth- 
er of ten children, as follows: William 
Heiu-y, a resident of Berne township; 



George Milton, who died in Kansas; Mary 
Ella, the wife of Henry Pearce, of W'ash- 
ingtnn C. H., Ohio; John Wesley, who 
lives in Lancaster: Laura Elizabeth, who 
became the wife of Charles Embich. of 
Berne township; Ida May, who has departed 
this life; Emma Catherine, the wife of \\'ill- 
iam Stuckey. of Mount Sterling, Ohio; 
Grant X., a resident of Chicago ; Fanny, 
who is at home with her mother; and Clark 
P., also at home. 

Our subject and his wife held member- 
ship in the Lutheran church and their Chris- 
tian belief permeated their daily conduct. 
In his political views Mr. Hoffman was a 
stanch Republican and had firm belief in 
the principles of the party and the ultimate 
good that would be attained through the 
adoption of these principles, but he ne\-er 
srmght or desired office and would never 
allow his name to be used in such a connec- 
tiiin. Fie was of a retiring disposition, but 
his sterling worth was manifest in an up- 
right life, and when he was called to his 
final rest in 1900 many friends mourned 
his loss. 



JOHN C. RITCHIE. 



John C. Ritchie is a prosperous farmer 
residing at Amanda. He was born in Hock- 
ing township, Fairfield county, March 22, 
i860, his parents being Creed and Sally 
(Schleich) Ritchie. "The father was born 
in 1830 in this county; the mother was a 



daughter of John D. and Mary (Haider- 
man) Schleich, the former an old resident 
of Lancaster. ]Mr. Ritchie was for a num- 
ber of years employed by the Cincinnati & 
Muskingum Valley Railroad, serving in 
various departments, and at length was 



J 94 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



killed in a railroad accident at Indianapulis. 
Indiana, in 1877, while acting in the ca- 
pacity of yard master. The mother of our 
subject passed away in 1864. and their 
daughter, Mary, the eldest of their tln-ce 
children, died in 1901. Kate, the second 
daughter, is the wife of C. E. Brenelle, of 
Marion, Indiana. 

Joim Creed Ritchie, whose name forms 
the caption of this review, was reared upon 
the home farm, and during the winter 
months attended the district schools. At 
the time of early spring planting he took 
his place in the fields and was thus largely 
employed until the crops were harvested in 
the autumn. He is a half owner of a good 
farm of one hundred and ninety-seven acres 
in Hocking township. His attention is de- 
voted to the cultivation of the crops best 
adapted to the soil and climate and also to 
stock-raising, in Ixith departments of his 
business meeting with good success. He is 
accounted one of the thrifty and aiterpris- 
ing agriculturists of his neighborhood, and 



whatever he has achieved is the result of 
his ((wn efftrts and a strict adherence to 
business jirinciples. 

On the 1 8th of April. 1891, Mr. Ritchie 
was united in nunriage to Miss Nellie 
Baugher, of Greenheld township, Fairfield 
county, a daughter of Samuel and Caroline 
(I'isher) Baugher, both of whom were na- 
tives of Greenfield township. Tiie home of 
Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie has been blessed with 
the presence of a son and daughter, Edgar 
and Mildred. The parents hold membership 
in the First Presbyterian church of Aman- 
da, and in 1901 Mr. Ritchie built a tine 
residence which he and his family occu])y, 
his farm being situated a few miles south 
of the village. The occupation to which he 
was reared he has made his life work, hav- 
ing no desire to change his pursuit, for he 
has found that success may be attained 
along that line. His work also leaves him 
am])le time to faithfully perform the duties 
of citizenship and to enjoy the pleasures of 
the home. 



GEORGE NICHOLS. 



George Nichols is actively identified 
with industrial interests of Fairfield coun- 
ty, being a well known carriage and wagon 
manufacturer, whose home is on section 34, 
Pleasant township, near Lancaster. He was 
born on the ist of May, 1832, in Berne 
township, this county. His father, John 
Nichols, was a native of Cumberland. Marv- 



land, borii .\ugust 8, 1783. The grandfa- 
ther of our subject was a planter, and when 
John Nichols attained his majority he in- 
herited a large estate. Later both he and 
his father sold their real estate in the south 
and removed to Ohi(i in 1804. settling in 
Fairfield county, where he remained until 
his death, which occurred on the 19th of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



295 



December, 1867. His father liunted and 
trapped and also dealt with the Indians, be- 
ing able to talk with them in their own lan- 
guage. The grandfather of our subject also 
engaged in iiunting and trapping, trading 
in furs to a considerable extent at an early 
day. Later his attention was given to ag- 
ricultural pursuits. Through some vnifor- 
tunate speculatiim he lost most of the for- 
tune \\liich he had brought with him from 
Maryland. He was united in marriage to 
Catherine Keys and they became the parents 
of two sons : Henry was killed by the cars ; 
and John became a wealthy farmer and died 
in Lake count}-, Lidiana, at the age of 
eighty-three years. For his second wife the 
father choise Mary Lantz, wdio was born in 
Lancaster county, Pemisylvania, and of this 
uniun there were born eleven children, nine 
sons and two daughters, seven of whom are 
yet living. Mrs. Nichols was a daughter 
of Martin Lantz, who came from Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania, and purchased a large tract 
of land in Pleasant township, near the city 
(jf Lancaster, Oliio. There he established 
the first tannery of the county and for 
many ye'ars he continued its operation, con- 
trolling the largest business of the kind in 
this portion of the state. 

George Nichols, whose name introduces 
this record, was the seventh .son. He left 
the home farm in order to learn a trade and 
chose that of carriage and wagon making. 
He became a thorough and expert workman, 
mastering the business in the Ijlacksmithing, 
wood working and trimming departments. 
Having some cajjital, he determinetl to en- 
.gage in business for himself, but wished 
first to thoroughly understand the pursuit 



which would occupy his attention, as he 
realized that a thorough knowledge of the 
work would prove the foundation of his 
success. When his apprenticeship was ended 
he returned to Fairfield count}-, embarked in 
business <jn his own account and has since 
been very successful. His patronage in- 
creased from the beginning and at times 
he employed from seven to ten n-ien in his 
shops. His books show that he has manu- 
factured over eight hundred wagons and 
more than one thousand carriages and bug- 
gies of \-arious descriptions, Isesides doing 
a large an-iount of repair work. He estab- 
lished his business at his present location 
on January 5, 1855, and is probably the 
largest carriage and wagon manufacture!- 
of Fairfield count}-. 

In 1848 Mr. Nichols was uiiited in mar- 
riage to Mary Ramsey, a daughter of R(3b- 
ert Ramsey, who was extensively engaged 
in the teaming business in Groveport, Ohio. 
Four children ha\-e been born unto our sub- 
ject and his wife. Edward is deceased. 
Jfihn \V. resides at home, manages the farirt 
and deals in horses. Like his father, he 
possesses considerable mechanical abilitv, 
is one of the expert horseshoers of the coun- 
ty and is master of all the branches of wagon, 
and carriage manufacturing. Cora Alice is 
the wife of Perry Vorys, a clothing mer- 
chant of Lancaster. Clara E. is the wife of 
Edward M. Gillett, the superintendent of 
the Children's Home of Fairfield county. 
Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are supporters of tlie- 
Albright church and through the long years- 
of their residence in this portion of the .state 
the}- ha\-e been highly regarded for the ])os- 
session of those qualities which in every land 
and clime demand res])ect. 



296 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ANDREW W. SHAW. 



Tlie landed possessions of Andrew W. 
Shaw aggregate tliree liiindred and sixty- 
one acres. At one time lie owned in addi- 
tion to tliis a valuable tract of five hundred 
acres and all was ac(|uired thrnugh his own 
labors. Jle started out on a business career 
witli no capital save a strong heart and will- 
ing Iiands, but his determination enabled 
liim to overcome dilficulties and obstacles 
while indefatigable energy proved the means 
of bringing to him a creditable success which 
he is now enjoying and which is evidenced 
by his splendidly developed farm. Mr. 
Shaw was liorn in Rush Creek township. 
Fairfield county, on the farm which is yet 
liis home, his natal day being March 26, 
1832. His paternal grandfather, John 
Shaw, was a native of Pennsylvania, and 
■came with his family to Ohio, but died soon 
after his arrival in this county. 

John Shaw, the father of our subject, 
was born in the Keystone state, but at an 
early period in the development of this i)or- 
ti<in of the state of Ohio took u]) his abode 
within its borders, accomjjanying his par- 
ents and the family. He had acquired his 
early education in the schools of his native 
state and here he received ample training 
at farm work. The family located upon a 
tract of land adjoining the farm upon which 
our subject now resides. It comprised one 
hundred and si.xty acres, the greater part 
of which was still covered with the native 
growth of timber. .At a later date John 
Shaw, the father of our subject, became the 
owner of the farm upon which .Andrew is 



now living, first purchasing a quarter-sec- 
tifju and afterward adding to it a tract of 
sixty acres. He was united in marriage to 
Miss Kacliel Stewart, a native of Fairfield 
county, and they became the parents of ten 
children, of whom only two are yet living, 
John W. and Andrew W., the former a resi- 
dent of Ohio, his home being near Rush- 
ville. In his political views the father was 
a Democrat, belie\ing lirnilx' in the prin- 
ciples of the party, but ne\er seeking office 
as a reward for his Icjyalty to the organiza- 
tion. He held membershi]) in the Presby- 
terian church and was interested in every 
movement calculated to prove of general 
g(M)d. In his business affairs he ])r(ispered 
as the years passed by, and in addition to 
general farming he made a specialty of the 
cultivation of tobacco, which he shipped on 
quite an extensive scale. 

Andrew W. Shaw obtained his educa- 
tion at home and though his advantages in 
youth were so extremely meager he added 
to his knowledge as the years passed by, and 
in the school of experience he has learned 
many \aluable lessons that have made him a 
successful business man, reliable and prac- 
tical in all of his work. In early youth he 
assisted in the labor of the fields upon the 
home farm and was thus engaged up to the 
time of his marriage, when, in order to 
have a home of his own he jnirchased eighty- 
three acres of land, beginning agricultural 
pursuits on his own account. He built there 
a comfortable residence, but after two years 
sold the property. His father desired him 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



297 



to return to tlie old homestead and take 
charge of the farm. Tliis Mr. Shaw (Hd. 
and became the manager of an excellent tract 
of land of two hundred and fifty-six acres. 
Later he purchased one hundred and sixty 
acres near Bremen, and to-day he is the 
owner of three hundred and sixty-one acres 
of lar.d in Fairfield county, the rich and well 
de\-eloped fields returning to him a golden 
harvest. At one time he, in partnership 
with his brother J. W'., also owned land to 
the extent of si.x hundred acres in Indiana, 
on the Wabash river, retaining it in their 
possession for thirteen years, when they sold 
out. Our subject's place is a very desirable 
oriC, being classed among the best farms of 
Rush Creek township, and the owner is 
known as a progressive, wide-awake and 
practical agriculturist, who has made farm- 
ing a science. 

j\Ir. Shaw was united in marriage to 
Miss Elmira Walten, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and a daughter of Thomas and Cath- 
erine Walten, who were also born in the 
Keystone state. In the family were ten chil- 
dren, but the only one now living is Mrs. 
Shaw. By her marriage she has become the 



mother of seven children, but four of the 
numlter ha\-e passed a\vay. Those who still 
sur\ive are: Ida M., at home; J. C. and 
George E., who are als(j under the parental 
roof. 

Since age gave to Mr. Shaw the right 
of franchise he has supported the men and 
measures of the Democracy, and while he 
has never sought or desired office he has 
ne\-ertheless kept well informed on the issues 
of the day, being able to support his posi- 
tion by intelligent argument. The cause of 
education has found in him a warm friend, 
and for twenty-four years he has served as 
a school director, doing everything in his 
power to promote in this way the intel- 
lectual standard of the comnnmitv. He is 
a member of the Presbyterian church, with 
which his children are also identified. His 
residence in the county covers seventy years 
— the psalmist's span of life — and although 
his career has been one of unfaltering in- 
dustry Mr. Shaw is still actively concerned 
in business affairs and deserves great credit 
for what he has accomplished, having been 
the architect and builder of his own for- 
tunes. 



EDWARD M. GILLETT. 



Edward Mithoff Gillett is now the su- 
perintendent of the Fairfield County Chil- 
dren's Home of Lancaster and is one of the 
enterprising and respected citizens. He was 
born on a farm just at the edge of Carroll. 



Ohio, on the 3d of December, 1867. His 
father. Amasa B. Gillett. was born in Cat- 
taraugus county. New York, in April, 1823, 
and with his parents emigrated westward 
to Illinois, where the family remained for a 



298 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sliiirt time ami then renmvetl lo Reynolds- 
burg, Ohio. At that place Aniasa B. Gillett 
learned the carpenter's trade and after fol- 
lowing that pursuit for some time he came 
to Fairfield county, establishing his home in 
Carroll. Here he married Priscilla Jane 
Wilson, a daughter of Isaac Wilson, who 
as a wedding present presented the young 
couple with a farm nn section 7, Greenfield 
township, it was there that tw(j sons were 
torn unto them : Isaac \\'ilson and Frank 
C. Shordy after the birth of the latter Mrs. 
Gillett died, and for his second wife the 
father of our subject married Sarah ~M. 
Myers, the wedding taking place on the 8th 
of January, 1867. She was a daughter of 
Andrew Myers, a resident of Jefferson. 
Ohio, and by the second marriage was born 
one son, Edward Mithoff, whose name in- 
troduces this review. Tlie father managed 
the farm and also engaged in general con- 
tracting and building houses, barns and 
bridges. He was also county commissioner 
for six years and was an active and influ- 
ential member of the County Agricultur;d 
Society, of which he served as president 
for several terms, while for a number of 
years he was one of its directors. In his 
various business interests he met with suc- 
cess, and when the two sons of his lirst 
marriage had attained their majority he 
purchased their interest in the home farm, 
which had been given to their mother un 
her marriage. In his will, however, he be- 
queathed the farm to them in equal shares, 
which he had bought of them. In 1S83 he 
was ajjpointed sujierintendent of the Fair- 
field County Children's Home near Lancas- 
ter, being the first one to occu])y that ])o- 



sition. The board of directors made a wise 
choice when they selected Mr. Gillett and 
he was continued in position until the first 
of April, 1896. when he resigned and re- 
mo\ed to Lancaster, where he lived retired 
until his death hebruarv 7. J900. His 
widow still survives him and is yet living 
in that city. She is a member of the Pres- 
byterian church and is active in many good 
works. Her father, .\ndrew Myers, was a 
Painsylvania German and died in Jefferson, 
Ohio, at the very advanced age of ninety- 
tive years. 

F.dward Mithoff Gillett pursued his ed- 
ucation in the district schools and afterward 
attended the normal school in Lithopolis. 
On putting aside his text-books he acce])ted 
a position on the staff of the Columbus Daily 
Times and later he embarked in the whole- 
sale shoe business, owned b\' James Clay- 
pool. After two years he came to Lancas- 
ter and was engaged in clerking in a dry 
goods store for more than a year. He then 
obtained a position of engineer at the Lhil- 
dren's Home, working luider his f;itlier, un- 
til his appointment to the su])erintendency of 
the institution, as his father's successor. He 
has since remained in the ]X)sition, giving 
satisfaction by the capable manner in which 
he manages its affairs. He not only super- 
intends the business interests of the place in 
an able manner, but his broad symjiathy and 
kindliness ha\e been active elements in his 
care of tin.- chiMrcn enti'iisied to his charge. 

On the 30th of October, 1890. Mr. Gil- 
lett was united in marriage to Miss Clara 
Nichols, a daughter of (jeorge Xichols, the 
oldest wagon manufacturer of this county. 
Mr. and Mrs. Gillett have n<i children of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



299 



their own, but they take personal interest 
in each cliihl under their care and tiiis large- 
ly accounts for the good conduct of the Httle 
•ones who have a warm affection for our 
subject and his wife, who indeed lia\e made 



the institution a home to the unfortunate 
ciiiidren wdio would otherwise have no 
home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gillett are peo- 
ple of genuine worth and their circle of 
friends is verv extensive. 



GEORGE W. WELSH. 



George \\'. Welsh, the successor of Mr. 
Spooner as superintendent of the schools of 
Lancaster, was appointed in February, 1869. 
Mr. Welsh had been a popular and success- 
ful teacher in the grammar schools of Lan- 
caster for the preceding two years. His 
high moral character, his kindness and un- 
obstrusive manners, and his ambition to ex- 
cell in his chosen field of labor, strongly 
recommended him to the board of education 
as a suitable person for superinl(Kndent of the 
schools. He was therefore elected to that 
position by a unanimous vote of the board. 
His successful management of the schools 
"for the last seven years, and tlie ad\-ance- 
ment and proficiency of teachers and pupils 
indicate the wisdom of the board in his se- 
lection. Impressed with a sense of the re- 
sponsibility of his charge, he exerts to the 
iitmost all his energies in qualif\'ing him- 
self for the duties imposed upon him. Pos- 
sessing an ardent love of literary and scien- 
tific pursuits, he has, by assiduous stud_\-. at- 
tained to an eminence as an educator, alike 
honorable to himself and the schools un.- 
der his charge. Under his administration 
the attendance is more regular, the modes of 



instruction improved, and the schools have 
steadily advanced in the scale of excellence. 
After ten years of service as superin- 
tendent Mr. ^^'elsh resigned in 1879 to ac- 
cept a position with the publishing house of 
Harper Brothers, of New York. He re- 
mained with this firm one year and then re- 
signed and was elected superintendent of the 
schools of Xenia, Ohio. After two years 
of successful work in the Xenia schools he 
resigned to accept again the superintendency 
of the Lancaster schools, succeeding S. S. 
Knabenshue, who had efficiently filled the 
place since February, 1879. After one year's 
service Mr. \Velsh's health having failed, he 
was succeeded by J. J. Burns, former state 
commissioner of common schools. \n 1884 
Mr. Burns resigned to accept the superin- 
tendency of the schools of Dayton, Ohio, 
and Mr. Welsh was appointed as his suc- 
cessor, and remained in charge of the schools 
eight years. In 1892 he was succeeded by 
Elijah Burgess, who held the position un- 
til 1898. For one year following the prin- 
cijjal of the high school, T. C. Coates, was 
acting superintendent. In 1899 Mr. Welsh 
was again chosen to take charge of the 



300 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



schools, and is llie present superintendent. 
Mr. Welsh was born and reared in Fair- 
field county. At the beginning of the Civil 
war he was teaching in Ruyalton, the place 
of his birth. In July, 1862, on the recom- 
mendation of the military committee of this 
country he received a lieutenant's commis- 
sion from Governor ])a\id Tod, and with 
Alvah Perry and J. AT. Sutphen recruited a 
company for the Xinetieth Ohio Volunteer 



Infantry. His regiment was sent to Ken- 
tucky in August, 1862, and was attached 
to the Army of the Cumberland, with which 
it marched and fought until the close of the 
war. Mr. Welsh was severely wounded at 
the battle of Stone River, Tennessee, on the 
last day of the year 1862. After the war 
he resumed his chosen profession, and with 
little interruption has continued in educa- 
tional work to the present time. 



OBED BROWN. 



For forty-one years Obed Brown has 
resided in l-'airtield county and for sixteen 
years has filled the ofiice of township trus- 
tee, which indicates the unmistakable hon- 
or, confidence and trust reposed in him by 
his fellow townsmen. He was born in Pick- 
away county on the 4tli of Max-, 1843, '^'^ 
parents being Elisha and Hannah (Ether- 
ton) Brown. His father was also born in 
Pickaway county and throughout the years 
of his active business career devoted his time 
to farm work, in which he ])ros])ered as the 
years passed. He closely applied himself to 
his duties. ■Am\ through his capable manage- 
ment and unremitting diligence met with 
gratifying success. He voted with the I)e- 
niocracv and tliou,gh he never cared for of- 
ficial ])referment was a public-spirited man 
and endorsed all measures and movements 
for the general good. He died at the home 
of our subject in 1901 at the age of eighty- 



six years, his birth having occurred in 1815. 
His wife was also born in Pickawa\- county 
and died about thirteen years before her 
husband's demise. By her marriage she be- 
came the mother of seven children, five of 
whom are yet living, Oljed Brown, the 
subject of this re\iew, being the third in 
order of birth. 

Upon the old farm iKjmestead where he 
first opened his eyes to the light of day Obed 
Brown was reared until his had attained the 
age of eighteen years, when he came to Fair- 
field county. In the meantime he had ac- 
quired a good luiglish education in the com- 
mon schools and had become familiar with 
farm work, and has never desired to change 
his occujiation. I pon arriving in FairfieUl 
county in 1861 he located in .\nianda town- 
ship upon a tract of land which he cultivated 
for a time, then purchased his present farm 
of eighty acres. It has been his home con- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



301 



tinuonsly since, and its neat and thriftv ap- 
pearance is an indication of his thorough 
understanding of farming methods and his 
earnest desire to make his property an at- 
tractive and vahiable one. 

The year 1869 was the one in which 
was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Brown 
and Miss Carohne Crites, a daughter of 
Samuel Crites, one of the early settlers of 
Fairfield county. His birth occurred in 
Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and 
he afterward became a prominent farmer of 
the Buckeye state, his thorough worth win- 
ning for him the esteem of all with whom 
he was associated. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Brown 
has been blessed with five children : Alice 
is the wife of Edson Groce, a farmer living 



in Walnut township, Pickaway county. 
Maggie is the wife of Joseph Bitler, a resi- 
dent farmer of Amanda township. They 
have one child, Lauren O. Bitler. Etta died 
at the age of five years. Bertha is the wife 
of John A. Bowman, a resident farmer of 
Clear Creek township. Emmett resides 
upon the old home place and assists his fa- 
ther in the cultivation of the fields. Mr. 
Brown believes that the principles of the 
Democracy are best calculated to promote 
good government in state and nation, and 
therefore endorses the men and measures of 
that party. He is at present serving as 
township trustee, having filled the ofiice for 
the past sixteen years. No higher testi- 
monial of capable service could be given 
than this. 



HENRY ZIMMERMAN. 



Henry Zimmerman is well known in 
mercantile circles in Lancaster, where he 
is conducting a retail grocery business. He 
has been a resident of this city from early 
boyhood, but was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, 
on the 8th of January, 1844. His parents 
were Gotlieb and Barbara (Biechler) Zim- 
mennan, natives of Wittenberg, Germany, 
the former born on the 9th of December. 
182 1. When in his tenth year he was 
brought to the United States liy his parents, 
William and Sarah (Silver) Zimmerman. 
After removing from Cincinnati to Fairfield 
county Gotlieb Zimmerman engaged in 



teaming and in the transfer business for a 
number of years and at the same time de- 
voted his attention partially to the opera- 
tion of a small farm near Lancaster. His 
industry and careful management through 
his active business career provided him with 
a comfortable living. His wife died in 1890 
when about seventy years (}f age, and he 
has since made his h(.)me with our subject. 
In his family were eight children, all of 
wh(im reached mature years, while George, 
Jacdl], Loui-sa, Charlie, Henry and Mary are 
still li\ing. 

In the public schools of Lancaster Henry 



302 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Zimmerman pursued his education and left 
school in order to assist his father, but when 
the Civil war was begun he put aside all 
business and personal considerations in or- 
der to aid his country in the suppression of 
the rebellion in the south, becoming a mem- 
ber of Company A, Seventeenth Ohio Vol- 
unteer Infantry, under the command of Col- 
onel John M. Connell. Mr. Zimmerman was 
mustered in for three years' service, and, 
although in his seventeenth year, he was a 
brave and loyal .soldier, his valor being eciual 
to that of many veterans twice his years. 
He participated in the engagements at Wild 
Cat, Millspring, .Stone River, Perry villc, 
Corinth, Pittsburg Landing and the battle 
of Chickamauga. At the last named place, 
on the .20th of Sei)tember, 1863, he was cap- 
tured. After being held as a prisoner, how- 
ever, for ten days he was exchanged. He 
had been shot through the elbow and the 
bone being shattered he was disabled for 
a time. Sent to the field hospital, he 
was afterward transferred to Nashville, 
Tennessee, then to Xew Albany and later 
to Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, Ohio, 
Recovering his health, he rejoined his com- 
mand and took part in the battle of Kene- 
saw Mountain, and when his lime had ex- 
pired he was mustered out at Atlanta, 
Georgia, in October, 1864, 

Returning to Lancaster. Mr. Zimmer- 
man then engaged in the grocery business. 
Li 1S7J he ])urchased the store of liasset. 
Allen & Gardnei". where he continued until 
I'^y^. when he purchased his present busi- 
ness bl(jck on North Columbus stieet. Here 



he carries a large and selected stock of 
staple and fancy groceries and his reason- 
able prices and honorable dealing and his 
earnest endea\'or to please ha\e secured to 
him a liberal patronage. 

Li 1867 Mr. Zimmerman was united in 
marriage to Miss Pauline ¥^. Breternetz, of 
Chillicothe, Ohio, a daughter of ^^■illiam 
and Minerva ( Ludwig) Breternet/:. She 
was born in Germany and when a little child 
of two summers was brought b\- her parents 
to the United States. By her marriage she 
has become the mother of nine children, but 
the youngest died in infancy. The others 
are: Minnie B., the wife of A. G. Byers ; 
Addie, who married Joseph Hooker, of Lan- 
caster; Charles, now of Columbus: Robert 
L, who is also living in Lancaster; Hattie, 
the wife of \\'illiam Stuckey, a wholesale 
ilcaler in cigars in I^ancaster: Emma, the 
wife of Edward McManany: (^llie P.. at 
home: and George W. M. 

The parents hokl membershi]) in St. 
Peter's Evangelical Lutheran church, taking 
a \ery active and earnest part in its work. 
Mr. Zimmerman is now serving as one of 
its deacons and for three years was secre- 
tary- of its board of trustees. His political 
allegiance is given the Democracy. Fra- 
ternally he is connected with the Union 
Veteran Legion, belonging to the Encamp- 
ment, No. 1 12. and to the My.stic Circle, No/ 
57, of which he is the worthy ruler. As a 
citizen he is true to his cmnitry .ind her best 
interests to-day as when he followed the 
nation's starry banner u])on southern battle 
fields. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



SOI 



JACOB WHITEHURST. 



Jacob \\'hitehurst was born March i, 
1830, in Bloom township, Fairfield county, 
his parents being John and Margaret ( Sho- 
walter ) \\'hitehurst, who were nati\-es of 
Rockingham county, Virginia. The grand- 
father, Jacob Showalter, was also born 
in Rockingham county, and it was for him 
that our subject was named. In his family 
were eight sons and eight daughters. The 
father came to Fairfield county in the fall 
of 18^9 and first located in Bloom township, 
near Greencastle. In the spring of 1845, 
however, he removed to the farm upon 
which Jacob Whitehurst is now living. The 
father was a carpenter by trade and at one 
time conducted a furniture shop in this coun- 
ty, but subsequently gave his entire atten- 
tion to agricultural pursuits. He was a man 
of high moral character and strict principles, 
was industrious and energetic, and his life 
work was such as to commend him to the 
esteem of all. He served as school director 
and also as supervisor. By his marriage to 
Margaret Showalter, John Whitehurst be- 
came the father of eleven children. Those 
still living are : Joseph, born in 1823 ; Nor- 
ton, born in 1825; Jacob in 1836; Eliza- 
beth in 1837; and William in 1846. Those 
who havt passed away are : Hannah, born 
in 1827; Sophia, born in 1832; Susana, in 
1835; Mary Ann, in 1840: one who died 
in Infancv; and John, born in 1843. Of 
this family John served in the Ci\il war 
as a member of the Union army. He was 
wounded in the left lung and died from tiie 
effects of his injuries a few years later. The 



father died March 17, 1856. at the age of 
fifty-five years, and his wife passeil awav 
September 5, 1879, in her seventy-eighth 
year. 

Jacob Whitehurst, whose name intro- 
duces this record, pursued his education in 
a log 'school house such as was common 
during the period of his youth. When twen- 
ty-one years of age he began operating the 
old homestead, remaining with his father 
until the latter's death, when he purchased 
the interests of the other heirs, having since 
continued upon the farm which has so long 
been his home. He gives his attention in 
an undivided manner to his agricultural in- 
terests and his practical knowledge of farm- 
ing, accompanied with his capable manage- 
ment, has resulted in bringing to him very 
desirable success. 

As a companion and helpmate for the 
journey of life Mr. Whitehurst chose Miss 
Mary Powell, their wedding being celebrated 
on the 13th of January, 1859. The lady 
is a daughter of Daniel Powell, of Bloom 
township. Her mother bore the maiden 
name of Eliza Beaty and both were natives 
of Pennsylvania, but in the early part of the 
century they took up their abode in Fair- 
field county. Mr. Powell l)ecame an ex- 
tensi\e and prosperous farmer of Bloom 
township. He died in his seventy-seventh 
year, while his wife passed away at the age 
of .seventy-one years. lie had served his 
country in the Civil war and was ever a 
loyal and patriotic citi/cn. Unto Mr. and 
Mrs. Powell were Ixmi eight children, of 



304 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



whom seven are yet living :.Bateman. Mary, 
Alexander, Sarah, Daniel, Elizabeth and 
John. I'eter. who was the third in order of 
birth, is now deceased. 

Mr. Whitehurst, of this review, has 
served as supervisor of his township and is 
a public-spirited citizen, ever interested in 
the welfare and progress of his commu- 
nity. In politics he has always supported 
the Democratic party, but he has never 



sought or desired political office to any great 
extent, though he withholds his co-opera- 
tion from no movement which he believes 
will contribute to the general good. His en- 
tire life has been passed in Fairfield coun- 
ty, and he has witnessed much of its growth 
and upbuilding, and has watched the changes 
which have transferred it from a primitive 
section of the state until it now ranks with 
the best counties of the commonwealth. 



REV. NICHOLAS E. PILGER. 



The Rev. Nicholas E. Pilger is pastor 
of St. Mary's Catholic church of Lancaster. 
He has devoted the years of his manhood 
to the work of the ministry and under his 
guidance the church nf which he now has 
charge is making satisfactory and substan- 
tial advancement. He was born May 2, 
1S4J, and after attending the parochial 
school decided to enter the priesthood. .\c- 
cordingly he made his preparatoiy studies 
at St. Thomas' College, Bardstown, Ken- 
tucky, and finished his ecclesiastical studies 
at Mt. St. Mary's Seminary of Cincinnati. 
He was ordained f)n the 3d of June, 1865, 
by Bishop Rosc<:rans, the then coadjutor 
bisho]) of Cincinnati and who was afterward 
appointed first bishop of Columl)us, Ohio. 

Father Pilger's first charge was at Mil- 
tonsliurg, Monroe county, where he was 
senl July 1, 1X65, and there remained for 
seven years, until July i. 1872. In the 
meantime he built a new church at \\'oods- 



field and repaired the churches of his dif- 
ferent missions, of which he had four be- 
sides the church at Miltonsburg. During 
those years he practically lived in the sad- 
dle, but was young and robust and did his 
work with a will and accomplished much 
toward carrying the gospel of Christ into 
the newly settled towns of his circuit. He 
relates many \erv interesting stories of his 
earlv iiastoral work, some of which are 
annising. His accounts of his efforts to 
combat the ignorance of the ])eople in those 
days and their bitter prejudices against the 
Catholic faith rMX of a highly entertain- 
ing nature. 

In 187J Father Pilger was transferred 
as pastor to St. Francis De Sales church at 
Newark, Ohio, where he remained until first 
coming to Lancaster in 1874. but at that 
time he remained here less than a year, his 
next ])astorate being at Delaware. Ohio, 
where he spent nine years. During his stay 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



30s 



at that place he purchased the ground on 
which Father Steyle afterward erected a 
handsome church. In 1884 he returned to 
Lancaster, where he has now labored for 
eighteen years, now having an assistant ni 
Father Teipe. His congregation is a large 
one, the membership being sixteen hundred, 
and there is a large attendance at the Sun- 
day-school. In 1886 Father Pilger was ap- 
pointed dean of St. Mary's by Bishop Wat- 
terson, and through his untiring efforts he 
now has one of the best organized churches 
in the diocese, with no jars or discord to 
disturb its peace. He is greatly beloved by 
his parishioners and is much respected by 



people of other denominations. He labors 
zealously for the temporal and moral wel- 
fare of his people and under his guidance 
his church has increased numerically and 
spiritually. There* is a fine school in con- 
nection with the church under the charge 
of seven Dominican Sisters. There are 
fourteen grades with an average attendance 
of two hundred pupils, and the school is now 
in a thriving condition. The Catholic so- 
cities here are as follows : The Catholic 
Knights of Ohio, the Knights of St. George, 
the Knights of St. John, St. Joseph's Benev- 
olent, the Young Men's Institute and the 
Ladies Auxiliary. 



JOHN H. BELLERMANN. 



John H. Bellermann, who is manager of 
the Lancaster Medical Institute of Lancas- 
ter, Ohio, is one who is devoting his whole 
time and energies to the office. This insti- 
tute can be looked upon as a great benefit 
to the human race and those responsible for 
its management are entitled to great credit 
for the good it has done for those who have 
become slaves to the use of intoxicants. 
They have restored to them the will power 
and strength of an upright manhood, enabl- 
ing them once more to take their place as 
workers in the business world unhampered 
by the diseased conditions brought on by in- 
temperance. 

Mr. Bellermann is a native of Maryland, 
his birth having occurred in the city of 



Baltimore on the 2d of March, 1858. his 
parents being Emanuel and Henrietta 
(Wegwerth) Bellermann. He was edu- 
cated in the public schools of his native city, 
and for several years thereafter was con- 
nected with the drug business in Baltimore. 
Subsequently he became a salesman for the 
firm of Sharp & Dohme and later was with 
the firm of Parke, Davis & Company, man- 
ufacturing chemists of Detroit, Michigan. 
He represented that house upon the road, 
traveling in Ohio. Indiana, West Virginia 
and a part of Iowa, his attention being thus 
occupied until 1888. The following year he 
came to Lancaster and began to manufacture- 
proprietary medicines, having his laboratory 
in connection with the Lancaster Medical 



306 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Institute. In 1891 in connection with others 
he organized tlie Lancaster Medical Com- 
pany for tlie manufacture of medicines to be 
used by the institute, which is located in 
what is known as the Hocking H. Hunter 
residence. The grounds comprise five acres 
and the place is most attractive in appear- 
ance. The utmost care is given to sanitary 
conditions ami the home is well lighted and 
ventilated. The institution is attended by 
two of the most prominent physicians of 
Lancaster— Dr. G. W. Boerstler and Dr. 
George Orman Beery. The home is well 
furnished and equipped for the accommoda- 
tion of its numerous patients and the grounds 
and surroimdings are especially attractive. 
As manager of the institution Mr. Beller- 
mann has contributed not a little to its 
success. 



In December. 1889, was celebrated the 
marriage of our subject and Miss Ida 
Webb, the third daughter of Ximrod and 
Sophia (Shade) \\'ebb. Mrs. Bellermann 
was lx)rn and reared in Lancaster and spent 
her entire life in this city. Mr. Bellermann 
belongs to the blue lodge, chapter and com- 
mandery of the Masonic order, of Lancaster, 
also to the Royal Arcanum and the camp 
of the Modern \\'oodmen. In April, 1901, 
he was elected a memljer of the city school 
board and the cause of education found in 
him a warm friend, for he believes it to be 
the bulwark of our nation and recognizes 
its importance for the preiKiration for life's 
responsible duties. In manner he is always 
kindly and courteous, and his social qual- 
ities ha\e rendered him ])opular with a large 
circle of acquaintances. 



REV. WILLIAM L. SLUTZ, D. D. 



Dr. William Leonard Slutz was born in 
Alonroe township, Carroll county, Ohio, 
February 22, 1846. His great-grandfather, 
John Slutz, was born in Germany in 1755- 
of German-Holland parentage, and emigrat- 
ed to this country sometime prior to the Rev- 
olutionary war. John Slutz served for a 
■considerable time in that struggle, being on 
a man-of-war. At the close of the war, in 
1782. he was united in marriage with Miss 
Margaret Howe, an<l of this union were 
born four children, Samuel being the eld- 



est. In 1788 Mrs. Slutz died and sometime 
afterward he was united in marriage with 
Miss Catharine Welsh. Of this marriage 
fourteen children were Ixirn. Thus did the 
great-grandfather, John Slutz, Ijecome the 
happy father of twelve sons and six daugh- 
ters. Fifteen of these children grew to ma- 
turity, were married and reared families of 
their own. 

The grandfather, Samuel Slutz, was 
lK>rn in I'rederick county, Maryland, March 
Ck 178^^ He was united in marriage, Oc- 




REV. W. L. SLUTZ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



309.. 



tober 26, 1810, with Miss Sarali Hague, who' 
was a Quaker, some of her family assisting 
in forming the Quaker Society in Cohim- 
bus,. Ohio, where tlie Hagues were promi- 
nent in that church. Of this union four 
children were born, Mahlon being the eldest. 
Mahlon Slutz was born in Tuscarawas coun- 
ty, Ohio, July 17, 1812. On the 23rd of 
March. 183^, he was united in marriage 
with ]\Iiss Rebecca \\'alburn, the daughter 
of Leonard and Sarah W'alburn. She was 
born near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, 
March 11, 18 16, but was reared from early 
childhood in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. 
After their marriage the}' resided a short 
time in Holmes county, then in Stark county 
three years, then in Carroll county ten years, 
tlience to Pike township. Stark coiinty, lo- 
cating on a fann six miles south of' the city 
of Canton, in 1848, which was the family 
home for nmre than half a centurv and re- 
mains in the name of 2^1ahlon Slutz at the 
time of this writing, 1902. Mahlon Slutz 
died near Canton, Ohio, June 5, 1901, at the 
ad\'anced age of almost eighty-nine years. 
His wife, Rebecca (Walburn) Slutz, had 
died September 15, 1896, closing a period of 
nearly sixty-three years which they had 
spent t(!gether in hapjjv wedlock and for a 
little m<ire tlian sixty years there had been 
but one death in their family. 

William Leonard Slutz was one of se\en 
children born of this parentage, four of 
whom are now living. He was not quite 
three years old when his parents lirdught 
him to Stark county. Htere he attended the 
countrj- school until about eighteen years of 
age when he entered the public sch<iol in 



the city of Canton. He then taught coun- 
try school and later, during college life, was 
principal of a village school and closed his 
work as a teacher in charge of a normal 
school. He attended Alount L'uiou College, 
at Alliance, Ohio, in his home couiUy, where- 
he completed a classical course of study and 
recei\'ed his degree of Bachelor of Arts with 
the class of 1871, and later in ctirsii, the de- 
gree of Master of Arts. Iiu 1895 he was 
honored with the degree of Doctor of Di- 
vinity, the same being conferred by Bald- 
win L'n.iversity. 

At the age of fifteen he was happil}- coiv 
verted and united with the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, of which his parents, brothers 
and sisters all were members. In 1873, 1'''^"^'" 
ing become a member of the Pittsburg con- 
ference and ordained deacon by Bishop 
William L. Harris, at his own re(iuest, he 
was transferred to the Colc;rado conference 
in gratitication of his desire tO' go west. He 
remained a member of the Colorado^ confer- 
ence nine years, his last pastorate being Colo^- 
rado Springs. During this pastorate of 
three years a most eligible church site was 
purchased and a new church erected at a 
cost Oif about twenty thousand dollars. He 
was secretary of that conference at the time- 
of his transfer to the east Ohio conference 
in 1882. He was then stationed at Akron 
three years and two years in Ra\enna, at 
the close oi which time he was transferred 
to the Ohio conference and stationed three 
}-ears as pastor of Bigelow, in Portsmouth, 
Ohio, then appointed to London, Ohio, 
where he remained five years. During his 
pastorate in London an excellent site was 



3IO 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



secured and a splendid church edifice erected 
thereon at a cost of about forty-eight thou- 
sand dollars, all provided for. There was 
also a net increase in meml)ership of one 
hundred and fifty. In iSys he was appoint- 
ed pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church 
in I^ancaster, Ohio, and continued as pastor 
two years, when he was appointed presiding 
elder of the Lancaster district and at the 
time of this writing is closing his fifth year 
in that office. He has been in charge of 
circuits two years, stationed in cities twenty- 
four years and presiding elder five years. 
During these years he has occupied parson- 
ages incident to the life of a Methodist min- 
ister, until within' the i)ast fo^lr years, when 
he has had the happy experience of dwelling 
in his own comfortaljle houie at No. Ii8 
East Wheeling street, Lancaster, Ohio. 

On the J.^l of Xovember. 1873. he was 
imited in ni;irriage w ith Jsliss Julia Minerva 
Clark, (laughter of Ransom H. and Eliza- 
beth ( I'itkin) Clark, of Portage county, 
Ohio. Her parents were of New England 
parentage. Six children were born of this 
marriage: Willie died at the age of two 
years in Portsmnnth. Ohio, February 13, 
1888; Mabel Henrietta, at nineteen years of 
age, a young lady of choicest Christian 



spirit : and bright little Helen Margaret, at 
the age of four, on September 2\. 1894, in 
the eternal home, joined their mother, who 
had died the previous June. Tliree sons are 
Ii\ing: Merrill Clark, the eldest, is a mem- 
l)er of the Cincinnati l>ar. Raymond Mahlon 
is a student in the Ohio Medical College, in 
Cincinnati. Earl Ransom is a meml>er of 
the senior class of the high school of Lan- 
caster, Ohio. On December 16, 1896, Rev. 
Slutz was united in marriage with Miss 
Ella Eckman W'hiley, of Lancaster, Ohio. 
She is the daughter of Samuel and 
Mary J. (Eckman) Whiley. Her father 
had been actively engaged in business in 
Lancaster for many years and at the time 
of his death, January 22, 1897, he was sec- 
retary and treasurer f>f the Eagle Machine 
Company and president of the F"arm- 
ers" and Citizens" P>ank of Lancaster. Ohio. 
Mr. \\ biley bad been for many years an act- 
ive official member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, in which he held official po- 
sition at the time of his death. His wife 
was a daughter of Judge John and Jane 
(Campl>ell) Eckman, of Greenfield. Ohio. 
Dr. and Mrs. Slutz had two children : Mary 
Eleanor, born .\ugust i, 1898: and a baby, 
born March 1.3, 1902. 



EMANUEL HUFFORD. 



Emanuel Hufford does not need to read has made him ac(|uainted with .ill those con- 

the history of pioneer days to become fa- ditious. He was born in Hocking county in 

miliar with the condition which existed in November, 1844, acquired his early educa- 

Ohio when this portion of the state was tion there prior to the age of thirteen years 

upon the frontier, for practical experience and then after the removal of the family to 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



3" 



Fairfield county continued his education in 
the schools here. Later he went to Indiana, 
where he was employed for a year, and on 
the expiration of that period he returned 
til his home and engaged in farming for (ine 
year for his father. He then came to the 
farm upon which he now lives in Rush 
Creek township, and for one year worked it 
for his father-in-law. He was successful 
in his undertakings and was therehy en- 
couraged to secure a home of his own. He 
was married February 14. 1869, to Miss 
Mary E. Simpson, a native of Fairfield 
county, Ohio, and as the years have passed 
eleven children have been added to their 
family: Joseph, whii is living about one 
mile east of the village of Flagdale : Mar- 
tin, who married Nora Burker, makes his 
home in Indiana; Eli, who married first 
Carrie Proctor and after her death Oma 
Shoemaker became his wife, and is living 
upon the old family homestead ; Sadie, the 
wife of Frank Grove, residing two miles 
east of Bremen ; Kittie, the wife of S. Shoe- 
maker, living in Rushville: Barbara, the 
wife of Homer Wright, their residence be- 
ing about one mile from her father's home; 
Jennie, the wife of Porter Wright, who 



Ii\'es upon the farm adjoining her father's; 
Eliza, the wife of Jim Blasser, at home; 
Leaf}', John and Carl, vet residing with 
their parents. 

In his j.iolitical views Mr. Kuffurd is a 
Democrat, and for a time served as town- 
shij^ trustee and has also served as school 
tlirector. He and his wife are members of 
the (lerman Reformed church. At the time 
of his marriage he had earneil about fi\'e 
hundred dollars, which he ])ut out at interest 
and it is there }et. He never rode in a 
buggy until he was married. On one Satur- 
day- morning he walked to Lancaster and 
after buying a pair of new trousers and a 
vest and also having his picture taken, he 
walked back home again, covering a dis- 
tance of twenty-two miles. On the same 
day he walked nine miles south to church 
and again home after the ser\ices, covering 
forty miles that day. In the same year on 
one occasion he walked eight miles before 
breakfast. No history of Fairfield county 
would be complete without mention of the 
Hufford family, so long have they resided 
in this part of the state and so active have 
they been in business affairs, contributing 
to the general welfare. 



HON. JOHN GRAYBILL. 



John Graybill was born in Lancaster 
county, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1785, 
and emigrated to and settled in Greenfield 
township, Fairfield county, Ohio, where he 
sided until August 29, 1867, when he fell 



asleep, full of years, loved, honored and re- 
spected by the entire community. 

He served as a private in the war of 
1812, and took an active interest in the 
state militia for many years after the close 



312 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of the war. His commissions as ensign, 
dated August i, 1813. signed by Return J. 
Meigs, governor, and as first lieutenant, 
dated January i, 1816, signed Ijy Thomas 
W'orthington, governor, still occupy a place 
on the walls of the library of his grandson, 
Judge Reeves. 

He served as justice of the peace of 
Greenfield township for over twenty-five 
years, and a numljcr of his commissions 
signed by Jeremiah ^lorrow, .Alien Trimble, 
Duncan McArthnr, and a long line of the 
ear!}' governors of Ohio, are .still preserved 
as relics. He served tw<i terms as county 
commissioner of Fairfield county, and in 
1836 and 1837 with William Medill (after- 
wards governor of Ohio) represented Fair- 
field county in the Ohio legislature. In the 
spring of 1838 he was elected by the legis- 
lature associate judge of the court of com- 
mon pleas of Fairfield county for the term of 
seven years ; his commission dated March 
9, 1838, signed by Joseph \'ance, governor, 
is still preserved by bis grandson, whose 
commissions as judge of the court of com- 
mon pleas are dated and signed in Novem- 
ber, 1900 and 1901, over si.\ty-two years 
thereafter. 

Judge Graybill was a Democrat of the 
Jacksonian type, and took an active ])art 
in the politics of Fairfield county. He was 
the warm personal and political friend of 
Governors \\'illiam Medill and William .\l- 
len. and of David Tod and John i'lrough 
during their adherence to the Democratic 
party. 

On May 19, 1818. in Lancaster county, 
Pennsylvania. John Graybill was marricl 
to Susanna Lightner Eckert. and a few davs 



thereafter they bid adieu to their friends 
and started on their l)ridal tour "across the 
mountains" m a Conestoga wagon for their 
home in I'airfield county, then the "far 
west. ' -As a memento of this trip their 
grandson still possesses one of the bridal 
presents, an old-fashioned china tea set com- 
posed of tea pot, sugar bowl, cream pitcher 
twelve cu])s and saucers, all perfect, with- 
out a nick or crack therein, notwithstanding 
their long journey in the Conestoga wagon, 
neatly packed in a bran new feather bed, 
another present from the mother of the 
bride. 

From its earliest history the city of L<-m- 
caster and vicinity has been noted for the 
high social standing, intelligence and hos- 
l)italiiy of its citizens, and in this favored 
community Mrs. (b;i\l)ill soon took a prom- 
inent .social position, which she maintained 
during her entire life, all recognizing her 
high S(Kial, intellectual and Christian char- 
acter. She was an earnest, consistent mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian church, having 
united with the old Leacock church near 
Lancaster, I'ennsylvania, when only si.xteen 
years olil. She was the orphans' friend, 
many of whom reared under her tender care 
lived to call her blessed and with her many 
friends mourn her loss, when on March 19, 
1876. she was laitl to rest. 

This union was blessed with only one 
child, Martha S. Graybill, who married 
Josiah Reeves, both of whom died leaving 
their surviving children, John G. Reeves and 
.'^anuiel L. Reeves, to the tender care and 
Christian guidance of their grandparents, 
who iidlily fulfilled the sacred trust imposed 
upon them. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



313 



HON. JOHN G. REEVES. 



Tlie record of Plon. Johm G. Reeves as 
a iiiani, a soldier, a lawyer and- a judge is 
such as to entitle him to distinction as one 
of the honored antl representative citizens 
of Fairfield county. He is now serving on 
the bench of the common pleas court and his 
incuniibemcy will continue until 1907. He 
was born near Lancaster, his parents be- 
ing Josiah and ^Martha S. (Graybill) 
Reeves. His father died when the Judge 
was quite \'oung and the latter was reared 
upon a farm liy his grandfather. Judge John 
Graybill, w'ith whom he remained until 
1861, attending the district schools in his 
early youth and afterward continuing his 
studies in the city schools O'f Lancaster and 
the Ohib University at Athens, Ohio, until 
i860. 

In that year Judge Reeves began read- 
ing law with the firm of Martin & Schleich, 
of Lancaster, remaining a student in their 
office until after the beginning of the Civil 
war, when, his patriotic spirit was aroosed, 
and he nffered his ser\"ices to the govern- 
ment, enlisting for three years or during the 
war as a member of the Seventh Ohio Vol- 
unteer Cavalry. He was with the First 
Battalion, which was afterward consolidat- 
ed with a part of the First Battalion of the 
Si.xth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and in 
1863 liecame the Eleventh Ohio Cavalry. 
Mr. Reeves enlisted as a private and wa« 
appointed orderly sergeant of Company C 
on the 2 1st of December, 1861, in which 
capacity he served about eleven months. On 
the 21 St of September, 1862, he was appoint- 

17 



ed second lieutenant of the same company ; 
was made first lieutenant June 9, 1863; and 
on the organization O'f the Eleventh Ohio 
Ca\'aln' was appointed its adjutant. Soon 
afterward he was made adjutant of the post 
of Fort Laramie and subseciuently was. 
made proivost marshal of the district of Fort 
Laramie. Li the spring of 1864 he was 
appointed assistant inspector of the western 
division oif the district oif Nebraska upon 
the staiif of General Robert ^litchell, w'ho 
was in command of the district of Nebraska. 
His jurisdiction extended fr'om Julesburg,, 
Nebraska, tO' South Pass City, \\'yoming. 
He was also chosen as captain of Company 
L, Eleventh Regiment, but was not mus- 
tered in as such on account of the close of 
the war, but served otit his time as inspector, 
being- honorably discharged in April, 1865. 
at which time he returned home. His regi- 
ment was engaged in guarding the o\-erland 
mail and emigrant route from Julesburg to- 
South Pass and on the South Platte from 
Julesburg to' Ford Halleck. At different' 
times they were engaged in; skirmishes with: 
the Indians, the most important being at 
Mud Springs, which lasted five days. His 
militad-y service was characterized by the 
most unflinching performance of duty, even 
in the face of great danger and most loyally 
and effectively he aided his country. 

Returniing immediately to^ his home, in 
May, 1865, the Judge was admitted to the 
bar by the supreme court of Ohio and at 
once began practice in Lancaster, where lie 
has since remained. In 1880, at Cincinnati, 



314 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he was admitted iv practice in the United 
States, circuit and district courts, and on tlie 
5th of March, 1885, he was admitted at 
A\'ashington, D. C. to practice in the su- 
preme court of tlie United States. In a trial 
before court or jury he is strong in argu- 
ment, logical in deductions and most cap- 
able in rq^resenting his case and the law 
bearing upon the points of litigation. In 
1867 he was elected city solicitor of Lan^ 
caster and served for two successive terms 
of two years each. In 1871 he was elected 
prosecuting attorney of Fairfield county, 
and l)v re-election was continued in that po- 
sition for six years. For eight years he 
AVas a member of the board of trustees of 
the Boys" Industrial School, being first ap- 
ix)inted by Governor Hoadley and later by 
Governor Canipbell. When not in ot¥ice he 
has given his cr.tire attention to the practice 
.(^f law and won distinctively rqiresentative 
■clientage. In Xovcmber, 1900, he was 
■elected judge of the common pleas court 
for an unexpired term anil in Xovember, 
1901. he was elected without opposition for 
a term of five years, and has continually 
<lemonstrated his ability to handle the intri- 
cate problems which are continually pre- 
sented for solution. The legal profession 
♦lemands a high 'order of ability, and the 
judiciary requires not only ability but a 
rare combination of talent, learning, tact, 
patience and industry. The successful law- 
yer and competent judge must be a man of 
well iKilanced intellect, thoroughly familiar 
with the law and practice, of comprehensive 
general information, possessed of an analy- 
tical mind and a self-control that will en- 
able liim to lose his indiv idu;dity, bis jjcr- 



sonal feelings, his prejudices and his pe- 
culiarities of disposition in the dignity, im- 
partiality and equity of office to which life, 
property, right and liberty must look for 
jjrotection. i'ossessing these qualifications 
Judge Keeves justly merits the honor which 
has. been conferred upon him by his election 
t(j the bench. 

On tiie 2yth of January, 1866, the Judge 
was married to Miss Rachel Elizal>eth, a 
daughter of Samuel and Sarah (ShuU) 
Hooker, of Hooker Station, near Lancaster. 
and they became the parents of one son, 
John Harold, who is now a law student. 
Mrs. Keeves, a most devoted wife and 
mother, possessing many womanly quali- 
ties which endeared her to all, was called to 
her linal rest Deceml>er 14, 1896, and her 
death was widely mourned. 

The Judge is a Democrat in his political 
affiliations and is prominent in military and 
fraternal circles, having served as Grand 
commander of the .\nierican Legion of 
1 Honor for (Jhio and as Grand Chancellor 
of the Knights of Pythias of Ohio in 1888 
and is now Supreme Representative. He is 
a charter member of Coeur de Lion Com- 
))any. Xo. 9, Uiiifurmod Rank, K. 1'., hav- 
ing served as its cai>tain and also as Judge 
Advocate General on the staff of J. W. 
Green, commanding the Ohio Brigade. He 
is past noble grand of Alpine Loilge, Xo. 
566, ]. O. O. F., and past patriarch of H«^H:k 
Hocking I'jicampment, Xo. 7. He took an 
active i)art in the formation of Patriarch 
Militant Branch: was twice elected Brig- 
adier General of the First Brigade of Ohio ; 
and twice elected Major General, command- 
ing the Division of Ohio, at that time com- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



315 



posed of eleven states. The Judge is also 
a member of Lancaster Lodge, No. 57, F. 
& A. !\r.; Lancaster Chapter, No. 11, R. A. 
M. ; and Lancaster Commamlery, No. 2. 
K. T. He is a Scottish Rite ^Mason, haximg 
taken the thirt)--second degree, and is affili- 
ated with Ohio Sovereign Consiston- at 
Cincinnati. He is a charter meml:)er and 
]>ast commander oi Ben Biitterfield Post, 
No. ~j. G. A. R., of Lancaster, and served 
as aide on the staff of the Department Con> 
mander, while at present he is on the staff 
of the National Commander. He is a char- 



ter member and past commander of En- 
campment, No. 12, L'. V. L., and at present 
is aide on the staff of the national comman- 
der. He has also filled the office O'f Grand 
Regent of the Royal .Arcanum. No man in 
the community stands higher in the esteem 
of the public than Judge Reeves. He has 
been identified with all the movements look- 
ing to the advancement of the general wel- 
fare. The prestige of his past career and 
the ability he has shown at the bar give 
basis for the popular prophecy that he is 
now of the coming jurists of eminence. 



JACOB WILBERT. 



Jacob Wilbert is connected with farm- 
ing interests of Fairfield county and is also 
au' agricultural implement dealer of Car- 
roll. He is one of the worthy citizens that 
Germany has furnished to the new wo-rld 
and his life record displays many of the 
sterling characteristics of the people of the 
fatherland. He was born near Bingen on 
the Rhine in Prussia in May, 1830, and his 
father, Valentine Wilbert, was also a native 
of the same locality, born in 1792. He was 
a soldier and had many interesting stories 
to tell of his years' campaign under Napo- 
leon Bon.aparte. By occupation he was a 
farmer, and after having heard many favor- 
able reports concerning the business oppor- 
tunities offered in the new world, he deter- 
mined to seek a home and fortune in the 



Uniited States. Accordingly with his wife 
and four children, he started for this coini- 
try, landing in New York in 1835. He then 
made his way to Buffalo, Cleveland and 
Lancaster, completing the journey by canal 
boat. He had intended goinig to St. Louis, 
but the boat in which he had taken voyage 
had such a large number of passengers that 
it seemed o\'er crowded and certainly very 
uncomfortable. When they reached Lan- 
caster, a German residing here told him of 
the ad\-antages of this county and Mr. Wil- 
bert was thereby induced to locate here. 
For alxjut three \ears he worked by the 
day and then witli the money which he had 
saved from his earnings, he purchased a 
farm near what is now Logan, Ohio. A 
year later, however, he sold that property 



3i6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and near Carroll rented a tract of land, on 
which lie remained for several years, when 
he purchased a small farm near the village, 
spending the remainder of his active ca- 
reer upon that property. At length, how- 
ever, he decided to jnit aside the arduous 
cares of agricultural life, sold iiis farm and 
purchased a home in Carroll, where he lived 
in (|uiet retirement from business until 
called to his final rest in 1877. He was 
the father of nine children, six of whom 
are yet living and four of the number are 
residents of California, namely : Valentine, 
an engineer; Martin, a carriage dealer; 
Fred, a shoe manufacturer; and Peter, who 
is engaged in the real estate business. Mary 
Ann became the wife of W'illiaau Lake, a 
farmer of Illinois, who is now living retired 
at his home in Kankakee, that state. 

Jacob W'ilbert, the sixth surviving mem- 
ber of the family, spent the first five years of 
his life in the fatherland and then accom- 
panied his parents on their emigration to 
the new world, coining with them to Fair- 
field county. Under the parental roof he 
spent his childhood and after arriving at 
years of maturity he married Miss Mary 
Ann. a daughter of David Hufford, a farm- 
er of Hocking county, Ohio. Nine children 
were born of this union, but three of the 
numl)er died in early youth. The six yet 
living are as follows: Sarah, the wife of 
Anthony Bender, of the firm of Bender 
Brothers, carriage manufacturers of Car- 
roll ; David H., a locomotive engineer re- 
siding in Fort Wayne, Indiana; Catherine, 
who married Frank S. Cams and resides 
on a farm adjoining Carroll ; William \\".. a 
machinist and thresherman, who li\es near 



Carroll ; Ellen, the wife of Daniel Ride- 
nauer. a farmer living near the village ; and 
Eliza, the wife of Ralph Cofifman. an agri- 
culturist of Greenfield township. Two of 
the sons. Daniel and David, fought through- 
out the Civil war in an Ohio regiment and 
were honorably discharged at the close of 
hostilities. 

In his youth Jacob Willjert, of this re- 
view, had attended the common schools and 
worked upon his father's farm, so that he 
was well equipped to engage in agricultural 
pursuits on his own account at the time of 
his marriage. In partnership with his fa- 
ther he operated a tract of land until he had 
accumulated enough money to begin for 
himself. He then rented a fann. ui)on which 
he remained for eighteen years and on the 
expiration of that period he purchased his 
present property on section 7. Greenfield 
township, adjoining' the corporation limits 
of Carroll. As his financial resources have 
increased he has extended the boundaries of 
his ])lace by additional purchases until he 
now has one Inmdred and foTty-fi\-e acres. 
On this stands a commodious dwelling, 
gfxxl bams, a blacksmith shop and feed 
n>ills. For many years he has been dealing 
in agricultural implements and is widely 
known for his success in business affairs. 
-Ml that he i^ssesses has been acquired 
tliri ugh his own efif<irts and his back record 
])roves the potency of detemiination and en- 
ergy when closely allied with sound busi- 
ness ])rinciples. 

In public office Mr. Wilbert has also 
been (|uite prfflndnent. He has served for 
several years as township trustee and school 
director, but his business interests have so 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



317 



occupied his time that he has not cared to uprightness, activity and liouesty is one well 

seek office. He is now the vice-president nf wi.-rthy of emulation'. Through the assist- 

the Farmers' Institute of Fairfield cnnnty. ance of his estimable wife he has reared a 

He and his wife are members of the JNIeth- family who are an honor to his name and 

odist church and in that faith have reared with one exception all of their children are 

their children. For more than forty years comfortably situated within a mile of the 

he has l)een a class leader and his life nf ])arental home. 



REUBEN W. MONHANK, M. D. 



Dr. Mcnhank is one of the younger rep- 
resentati\-es of the medical fraternity in 
Fairfield county, but his years seem no bar 
to his ability or tO' his success, for the form- 
er has been the means of gaining him a very 
creditable jjosition as a practitioner of med- 
icine, his standing in the fraternity being 
such as many an rjlder physician might well 
en\-y. He is now practicing in the village 
of Royalton and is a worthy representati\e 
of an h(ini,red pioneer family of Fairfiekl 
c(junty. He was born in Berne township of 
this county. November 26, 1873. His pa- 
ternal grandparents are still living, his 
grandfather. \\'illiami Mimhank, now li\'- 
ing a retired life in the city of Lancaster. 
Throughout the vears of his business activ- 
ity he carried on agricultural pursuits. His 
birth occurred in (iermany and when abuut 
twenty-one years of age he bade adieu to 
friends in the fatherland and sailed for the 
new world, believing that he might improA-e 
Ivis financial condiion in this countrv where 



opportunity and effort are not hampered by- 
caste or class. He settled in Fairfield couu"- 
t_\- and for many }-ears resided in Berne 
township, but during the last twenty years 
of his connection with agricultural pursuits 
he made his home in Greenfield township. 
He is now about eight)--fi\-e years of age, 
one of the revered patriarchs of the com- 
niunily, venerated antl respected l)y all who 
know him. His wife is also living at al)out 
the same age, and totli enjoy good health, 
Mr. Alonhank was one of the early settlers 
of the count}- and through man\- )-ears li\-ed 
a most in'dustrious life, his energy and un- 
flagging diligence enabling him to* gradu- 
ally advance from an hunrble financial con- 
dition to a position of affluence. As his cap- 
ital increased he made judicious invest- 
ments in ])roperty and became the owner 
of a \-aluable farm and city realty. He and 
his family are members of the Lutheraini 
church and the name has ever been a syn- 
onym for all that is honorable im life. Unto 



3'8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the grandparents of the Doctor were Ixjru 
nine children, and the family circle yet re- 
mains unbroken by the hand of death. 

Tiie parents of the Doctor are William 
D. and Mary (Ackers) Monhank, and the 
father has been identified in Fairfield county 
and is upbuilding from an earl)- history- in 
its de\elopment. He now resides in Berne 
township at the age of fifty-eight years, and 
is a prcjininent and prosperous farmer and 
stock raiser. His fann is located on the 
Sugar Grove pike and comprises abotit two 
hundred acres of rich land, wliich he pur- 
chased from his father about twenty years 
ago. He has made many improvements 
thereon, including the erection oi a large, 
substantial brick resilience, a commodious 
barn and tjther necessary outbuildings. In 
fact, he has made this a model farm and is 
accounted one of the most progressive as 
well as practical agriculturists of this por- 
tion of tlie state. His ix>litical support is 
given to the Democracy and while he al- 
ways casts his ballot in support of its men 
and measures, he has never sought public 
office. He is devoted to all that tends to 
im4>rove and further the interests of the 
community in which he lives, and his influ- 
ence has ever l)cen on the side of the right, 
the true and the beautiful, lie Wongs to 
the ( icnnan Lutheran church, of which his 
wife is also a member. She was born in' 
Fairfield cmnty and is a daughter of Daniel 
and ( 'atherine (Klinker) .\ckers. Her fa- 
ther now resides in Logan. Hocking coun- 
ty, and is a man of considerable ])r(iminence 
and wealth. Vor many years he resided in 
Berne townsbi]). b-airfield county, Ohio, but 



has at length put aside business cares and 
in the enjoyment of a well earned rest 
makes his home in Logan. Unto William 
D. and Mary Monhank were born two chil- 
dren. The daughter, Minnie, is the wife of 
Charles Himimel, of Columbus, Ohio, who 
is in the employ of the street railway com- 
pany there. They have four children, 
Charles, Randolph, Mildred and an infant. 
Reuben W^. Monhank, the subject of 
this review, was born November 26, 1873, 
and in the district schools of Berne township 
began his education. \\"hen he had ma.s- 
tered the l>ranches of lejirning usually 
taught in such institutions, he continued his 
studies in the high school iA the townsbi]). 
Li the winter of 1890-1 and through the 
succeeding winter he was a student in the 
preparatory school in Lebanon, Ohio, hav- 
ing determined to enter ujxmi the practice 
of medicine as his life work. He then be- 
gan preparation for the profession and en- 
tered the Ohio Medical University at Co- 
lumbus, where he ]>ursue(l a complete course, 
being graduated in the spring of 189C. In 
the spring of the same year the college held 
a com]>etitive examination for interneship 
for the Protestant Hospital at Columbus, 
and Dr. Monhank was successful in winning 
the position, which he occupied for eight 
months. At the end of that period he lo 
cated at Royalton, Fairfield county, where 
he at once began the practice of his profes- 
sion, which he has continued .s.ince, his la- 
bors resulting in effecting many notable 
cures, He keeps in touch with the progress 
made by the medical fraternity through his 
niemljership in the State !\Iedical Society. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



319 



wliere tlie exchangee of thought and kno-wl- 
edge adds to the proficiency of all connected 
with the organization. The Doctor has a 
large and extensive country practice, co\'er- 
ing a radius of six or seven miles in each 
direction from Royalton. 

In April, 1896, the Doctor was married 
in Lancaster to Miss Anna Cruit, a daugh- 
ter of William and Mary (Kiger) Cruit. 
The lady was born in Fairfield count}', and 
their marriage has been blessed with two 
children : Mary, whose birth occurred in' 
Amanda township, Fairfield county, the ist 
of Se]3tember, 1897; and William Chester, 
born in the same township on the 28th of 
Jul}, 1899. 

Dr. Monhank and his wife are devoted 
memljcrs of the Methodist church, in which 



he has ser\'ed as one of the trustees and has 
formerh- been recording steward. He is 
most earnest in his advocacy of the church 
and does all in his power to promote its 
groAvth, and extend its influence. Socially 
he is connected with the Masonic frater- 
nity and the Indq^endent Order of Odd Fel- 
Inws, while in his political views he is a 
stanch Republican. He has mo time or de- 
sire for public office, hoAVever, preferring 
to give his entire attention to his profes- 
sional duties, which are continually increas- 
ing, as his skill and ability are demonstrated 
Ijy successful practice. He has due re- 
gard for professional principles, his knowl- 
edge of the science of medicine is broad and 
comprehensive and already he has gained 
an en\'ial)le position in his chosen calling. 



REV. lOHN GOURLEY. 



For ten years the Rev. John Gourley has 
l)een the pastor of the First Presb_\-terian 
church of Lancaster and for a quarter of a 
centur}- has de\-ote(l his life to the holy call- 
ing, in whicli his inlluence has been of no 
restricted order. He has lalxired long and 
faithfullv and there has noi been denied 
him the full harvest nor the aftermatli. His 
consecration and zeal iui the cause have re- 
sulted in achancing the growth and influ- 
ence (^f the clnuxh and his efforts have been 
a piitent influence in the church, f)f which 
he is still the iiastor. 



.Mr. (inurle)' is a nati\-e of Penins_\'l\'ania, 
his birth ha\ing occurred in the vicinity of 
Cirecnsburg, Septeml)er \~, 1850. His par- 
ents, Samuel and Eliza (Clements) Gour- 
lev, were both natives of the Keystone state. 
The famil_\- is of Scotch-Irish lineage, and 
the great-grandfather of our suliject was 
the first of the name to seek a home in the 
new wcirld, crossing the Atlantic from the 
Emerald Isle in 1774, just the _\-ear liefore 
the outbreak of the Revolutionar\- war. His 
Son, bihn (iourlev, the grandfather of our 
siibjcct, owned and operated a farm in 



320 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Pennsylvania and there married Miss Mar- 
garet Steplienson. Ujion tlie old family 
homestead, Samuel S. Gourley was born and 
reared and tln-oughout his entire life he en- 
gaged in agricultural inirsuits. remaining a 
resident of the Keystone state until called 
to the home beyond. His political support 
was given the Republican party but he never 
turneil aside from the strict path of busi- 
ness to enter the political field. Both he 
antl his wife were devoted members of the 
Presbyterian church and endeavored to 
bring up their children in the fear and ad- 
monition of the Lord. 

Thus the Rev. John (jourley, now of 
Lancaster, was reared amid the refining in- 
fluences of a good Christian home. He 
worked in the fields and aided in all the 
work usually required of boys of that pe- 
ril kI. He began his education in the com- 
mon school <jf the neighlx)rhi»>(l and later 
continued his studies in Greensburg, Penn- 
sylvania. He next became a student in Sa- 
lem Academy and still later in Washington 
and Jefferson College, of Pennsylvania, in 
which be was graduated with the class of 
1874. His literary education being com- 
pleterl. he then began preparation for the 
high and Imly offices of the church, having 
determine<l to devote his life to the work of 
the ministry. He entered the \Mestern- 
Thei logical Seminary at Allegheny City. 
Pennsylvania, and was graduated in 1877. 
He at once entered \\\\<m the work for which 
the years of ])rc\ious study had jiccn ;i pre]>- 
aration, becoming pastor of the First Pres- 
byterian church in Indiana comity, where he 
remained for six years. For seven years he 
was located at Lewistown, Pennsylvania, as 



pastor of the First Presbyterian church, a 
large and influential one, and in 1893 he 
came to Lancaster to accept the pastorate 
of the First Presbyterian church here. Ten 
years ha\e since passed, during which time 
the church has made a .steady and healthful 
growth, now having a membership of two 
hundred and fift}-. The house of worship, 
which is a handsome structure, was erected 
in 1S92. It is built in a modern and attrac- 
ti\e style of arcitecture and the seating is 
well plannetl for the comfort of the five hun- 
dred auditors who can there be accomn-u> 
dated. It was erected at a cost of twenty 
thousand dollars and is free from debt. The 
church work is well organized in its various 
departments and is a ixjtent element in the 
moral development and progress of the com- 
munity. 

On the _'4th of .May, 1877, Rev. flour- 
lc\' led to the marriage altar Miss \J\7.7AC A. 
llar\ey. of Delmont, Pennsylvania, a 
daughter of Joseph and ^lary A. ( Metz- 
fer ) Har\-ey. The marriage has been blessed 
with ti\e children : b'rank B., a resident of 
Lancaster: Mar\- ]•'.. Joseph Ilarxev. John 
Steele and ^largaret Stephenson, yet under 
the parental roof. 

Rev. Gourley is the state clerk of the 
Presbytery of Columbus, and is widely 
known in Presbyterian circles as one of the 
giftetl ministers of the denomination. A 
man of strong intellect and l)road human 
sympathies, his argnmcnt and oratory are 
many times effecti\e in inducing his hearers 
to follow higher ideals in life and his zeal 
and earnestness in behalf of the church ha\e 
contributed in effectixe measure to its 
growth and upbuilding. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



321 



PERRY T. STOVER. 



The Ijusiiiess interests of Carroll are 
\vell represented by Perry T. Stover, an en- 
terprising' harness maker of that place, 
whose present business has been conducted 
so capalily that he has gained gratifying 
success and at the same time has won the 
confidence and good will of the pulslic. He 
is one of Fairfield county's native sons, for 
his birth occurred January 25, 185 1, upon a 
farm owned by his maternal grandfather, 
Madison Jones, in Madison towmship. His 
father, Simon Stover, was born in 1828 on 
his father's farm in Pennsylvania and was 
a representative of an old Pennsylvania 
Dutch family. His educational and other 
adx'antages were limited but he possessed 
re«iilutinn and enterprise and these cjuali- 
ties enabled him to advance steadily in his 
luisiness career. In early manhood he mar- 
ried Margaret Jones, a daughter of Madi- 
son Ji:nes, a farmer and tanner, who' was 
also extensi\-ely engaged in; the cultix-ation 
of grapes in eastern Pennsylvania, where 
he owned about one thousand acres of land. 
It was about 1835 that Simon Stover, the 
father of our subject, came to Fairfield 
county, taking up his abode upon a tract of 
land in Mhdison township, where he re- 
mained with his father until reaching man's 
estate. Later he engaged in general mer- 
chandising at Lock\-ille, but after a few 
years he si'kl tliat business and rem«)\-ed to 
Columbus, Ohio, where he spent the remain- 
der of his business career as a traveling 
salesman, representing a dry- goods jobbing 
house of the capital city. There his deatli 



occurred in 1892. He left seven children: 
Frank, who is now a yardmaster at St. 
Louis: William^, a railroad man of the same 
city; Jane, the wife of a cigar manufacturer 
of Cuddington, Kentucky; Clara, the wife 
of Milton Sanford. a bridge contractor of 
Columbus, Ohio'; Harriett, who married 
Nelson Brink, also of Columbus; and Alice, 
the widow of Charles Angel, of the same 
city. 

Perry T. Stover, the seventh sur\-ivinig 
member of the family, learned the harness- 
making business in all its branches and is 
a thorough and expert workman. His suc- 
cess is largely due to the fact that he has ap- 
plied himself with unremittimg diligence to 
the work in which, as a young tradesman, 
he embarked. Many of the failures of life 
come through lack of close application and 
the tendency to continually change ones oc- 
cupatiiin. but Mr. Stover has persevered in 
the ]iursuit of a persistent purpose and his 
efforts have been so discerningly directed 
along lines of industrial activity that he is 
now at the head of a good business and is 
accounted one of the honored and lionnr- 
al)le merchants of the i)retty and thri\-ing 
town of Carroll. 

On the f)th of ^lay, 1878, occurred the 
marriage of Mr. Stover and Miss Margaret 
Johnsiin. a daughter of Squire \. J. John- 
son, a merchant and w-dod dealer oif Lithoi)- 
olis. who came to^ this city fnnn Rocking- 
ham, \'irginia. The marriage of Mr. and 
Mrs. StoA-er has been blessed with two chil- 
dren : Alice, born September 5, 1879, is 



322 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the wife of \\'illiam Liest, a niolder, resid- 
ing in Lancaster ; and Lillie M., born No 
\eniber 2, 1881, is the wife of Delbert An- 
thony, a niolder, of Carroll. Our subject 
and his wife have a pleasant home in Car- 
roll, where he has spent the greater part of 
his life and where he declares he will re- 
main until called to the home bevond. He 



has received fair treatment at the hands of 
his fellow townsmen Ijecause he has ren- 
dered such to them, and as the years have 
passed he has gradually increased his busi- 
ness and become a prosperous merchant 
here. In the spring of 1902 he was elected 
by the town as marshal for a term of two 
years. 



JOHN B. KELLER. 



John B. Keller was for many years suc- 
cessfully engaged in the grocery business 
in Lancaster, hut has now retired from mer- 
cantile interests and gives his attention only 
to the supervision of his farms and to his 
invested interests. He is a native of Hesse- 
Darmstadt. Germany, where his birth oc- 
curred on the 14th of April. 1839. His 
father, John Keller, was a native of the 
same locality an<l there acquired a good 
common .school education and was married. 
Alx)Ut 1854 he emigrated with his family to 
the United States, taking passage on a sail- 
ing vessel, which, after a voyage of five 
weeks, dropped anchor in the harlx>r of 
Xew York. From the eastern metropolis 
Mr. Keller made his way at once to Lancas- 
ter. Ohio, where he remained until his death. 
1 lis wife had passed away in her native land 
during the infancy o.f her son, John B. 

John P.. Keller was eighteen years of 
age when he came to the I'nited States. 
A\'hile in the old country he had learned 



the miller's trade, which he continued to 
follow for some years. .\t Lancaster. Ohio, 
he entered the service of Mr. Seifred, for 
whom he worked for eighteen months, after 
which he accepted a clerkship in a grocery 
store at Logan, Ohio, but at the outbreak 
of the Civil war he returned to Lancaster 
and joined a company, w'hich was here lie- 
ing raised for a service of three months. It 
became Company D, of the Seventeenth 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was com- 
manded by Colonel Connell. The regiment 
was ordered to We.st Virginia to guard 
points in that state. On the expiration of 
three months ^^Ir. Keller re-enlisted in the 
same company for three years. This com- 
mand was ordered to Kentucky and took 
]>art in the battle of Mill Spring and later 
in the engagements at Murfreesboro. Perry- 
\ille and Chickamauga. .\t the last named 
place he was se\erely wounded by a gun- 
shot Ihnuigh tlic left ell)ow. It disabled him 
fur further dutv and he was then taken to 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



i^i- 



the hospital at Cliickamauga and some- 
time afterward was sent to Nash\'ille, Ten- 
nessee, and then to Lonisville. Kentucky, 
and subsequently to Cincinnati. Ohio, where 
he remained in Camp Dennisou until hon- 
orabl\' discharged on the 28th of May. 1863. 
At the close of his military services Mr. 
Keller returned to Logan, Oliioi, where he 
established a grocery store, which he con- 
ducted on his own account. In April, 1865, 
however, he returned to Lancaster and here 
engaged in the grocery trade, building up 
a large and pi-ofitable business, which he 
conducted until 1889, when he retired from 
mercantile life, and his son, Chris, took 
charge of the business, and is now proprie- 
tor of two of the most modern and up-to- 
date grocery stores in the city. He is also 
president of the Lancaster board of trade. 
Mr. Keller's business career was without 
exciting incidents or speculation, and along 
legitimate lines of trade he gained a hand- 
s.ome competence. He now de^-otes his time 
to farming. His lands are well tilled uiif- 
der his supervision, employing hired help, 
and upon the farms are a large number of 
hogs and cattle. ]\Ir. Keller owns valuable 



city properties and having thus made judi- 
cious investments in real estate is now ac- 
counted one of the jirosperous citizens of 
the community. 

In 1865 our subject was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Elizal>eth Hartman. also a 
native of Hesse-Darmstatlt. Germany, and 
a daughter of Henry and Eva (Lortz) 
Hartman. In their family are eight chil- 
dren, two sons and six daughters, namely : 
Christian. Christine, Elizabeth. John. JNIar- 
garet. Rose, Ida and Clara. In his political 
views Mr. Keller is a Democrat, with firm 
faith in the principles of the party, and upon 
that ticket he was elected to the city coun- 
cil, in which he served for five years. He 
and his family are members of the German 
Lutheran church and are people of the high- 
est respectabilitv. enjoving the warm regard 
of all who know them. Air. Keller owes his 
advancement in life tO' his own efforts, his 
sterling worth, his integrity abo\-e Cjuestion, 
his indefatigable industry and strong- reso- 
lution — these have been his salient charac- 
teristics and have won bin: an en\'iable po- 
sition among the substantial residents of his 
adopted county. 



THOMAS GINGRICH. 

One of the beautiful country liomesi of was erected at a cost of three thousand dol- 

Fairfield county is that occupied Ity Thomas lars and forms a most pleasing feature in the 

Gingrich, of Amanda towniship. It is a landscape. It .stands in the midst of a val- 

large and commodious brick structnre. which uablc and constantly cultivated farm, which 



324 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



indicates careful supervision and a progres- 
sive and practical spirit. He is classed 
among the highly respected citizens of the 
-count}- and well does he deserve to Ije thus 
ranked. His birth occurred near !Meyers- 
town, Lebanon county. Pennsylvania, on tlie 
22d of March. i8,y. His father, Michael 
Gingrich, was born in the same county and 
there spent his entire life. When the days 
of his minority were i)ast he sought a com- 
panion and helpmate for life's journey and 
•chose Polly Moore, also a native of the Key- 
stone state. The\- lived upon a famt in Leb- 
anon cinuity and were people of respectabil- 
itv and wi rth. The father was a prosperous 
and enterprising man in his ci'mmunity, and 
accunndated considerable property, becom- 
ing the owner of several farms. His death 
occurred in the place of his nativity when he 
was about se\enty-seven years of age, and 
his wife i)assed away in the same county 
when i.ur subject was <Mily six years of age. 
Both held memliership in the Lutheran 
church and were earnest Oiristian people. 
In their family were eight children, but only 
three of the numlier are n(Av living. Our 
subject was the third in order of birth. His 
brothers are: Peter. whf> makes his home 
in Lebanon, Penn.sylvania, and is connected 
with the iron furnaces, where his cliiUhen 
are also employed: and J'»hn, a substantial 
and pr(;gressive farmer of Illinois. 

Thnmas Gingrich ])assed the days of his 
boyhood and youth in the county of his 
birth, and when twenty-one years of age he 
came to Ohio and took up his abode in Lilv 
erty township, Fairfield county, where he 
remained for fourteen years. He then en- 
■gaged in the milling business, purchasing 



the old Bright mill in Liberty township. 
Subsequently he removed to Amanda town- 
ship and. located on the farm on which he 
now resides, comprising one hundred and 
si.vty acres of rich, arable and valuable 
land. He tilled it and placed it under a 
high state of cultivation. It is now rented 
by his children, who are prospering finely. 
Stock raising also claims a part of their at- 
tention. The home is not only one of the 
linest ciiuntry residences in this i)art of the 
state, but is al-so celebrated for its gracious 
hospitality. Mr. Gingrich jnit up l)arns and 
other buildings, .secured the latest improved 
machinery to facilitate farm work and added 
all the nudcrn e(|uii)ments and accessories 
known to a model farm of the twentieth 
centurv. So when it came into the hands 
(if the ])resent owners it was one of the best 
farms in the county. .\s the tinancial re- 
sources of the family have increased they 
have also extended the IxHrndaries of the 
place by the additional jnirchase of forty 
acres, which is now owned by the children 
and which is maintained as a sejiarate farm 
by itself. 

In all his work Mr. Ciingrich was as- 
sisted and encouraged by his wife, who in 
her maidenhiHHl luire the name of luneline 
Kis.senger. She was bivrn in Berks county. 
PeimsyKani.i. and when alxmt twelve or fif- 
teen years of age came to Ohio. She w as a 
devi>ted member of the Evangelical church, 
and was a kincl and loving wife and mother. 
Her death came as a great blmv to her fam- 
ily. She ])assed away on the sixty-eighth 
annivcrsarv of her birth, dying on the 23d 
of February. i()oi. Four of her seven chil- 
dren survive her: Millie, who is the wife 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



325- 



of Charles Borchers. a resident farmer of 
Amanda township, by wliom she has one 
daugliter, Lucille: Isaac, whoi is at home; 
Laura, who for ten years engaged in school 
teaching in Amanda ; and Flora J., also 
under the parental ro<if. Tho'Se who have 
passed away are: \\'illiam S., who died at 
the age of five years ; Allie. whO' died at 
the age of sixteen, years : and Charles, who 
died at the age of twenty-one. Mr. Ging- 
rich vijtes with the Democratic party, but 



has never had any desire for public office 
and takes no active part in political work. 
He is. however, a public-spirited citizen, 
who co-operates in all measures for the gen- 
eral gooid. He Ijelongs to the Evangelical 
Association, with which he has been identi- 
fied for forty-five years. In the upbuilding 
of the church in his township he has taken 
3.n active antl helpful interest and given 
freely of his time and means for the pro- 
mction of the cause. 



HARRY A. P. HILL. 



Those who ha\-e contributed in any 
measure to public good, who ha\e promoted 
business affairs, who- have aided in the work 
of advancing the general welfare, deserve 
mention in the history of the county in 
which they have lived. Harry Augustus 
Pomeroy Hill was a citizen of worth, highly 
respected in Fairfield county. He was born 
in \Vashington county, Ohio-, May 3, 1828. 
His father. Harry Hill, was also a native of 
that county. l>orn in 1783, and in. the year 
1840 he came with his family to this portion 
of the state, settling in Clarksburg, where 
he made his home until called to his final 
rest. He was a colonel in the home mi- 
litia of Washington comity. He also ser\ed 
as justice of the peace a great many years 
and in religious belief he was a Presbyte- 
rian. 

Harrv A. P. Hill obtained his earlv ed- 



ucatii'u in the district schools of his native- 
cijunty and later continued his stutlies in 
the public schools of this county. \Mien 
about nineteen or twenty years of age he 
went Xo work for his father upon the farm 
and was thus engaged until he Iiegan farm- 
ing on his O'wn account in urder to maintain 
his home. As a companion and helpmate 
for the joiirney of life he chose JNliss Lu- 
cinda Alford, a native of Burlington, Ver- 
mont. She was one of a family of nine 
chjklren born unto James and Almiira 
(Chase ) Alford, natives of the Green Moun^ 
tain state. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
Hill was celebrated in 1850 and was blessed 
with four children, namel}- : F'dward A. 
P.. a resident of Columbus. Oliioi. married 
Agnes Flora Baumgardncr. and they have 
one child, Clyde B. ; Lizzie Ellen is the wife 
of M. B. Prindle, of Charlestown, West Vir- 



326 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ginia, and tlie inotlier of two children, Kate 
Hill and Helen Maria : Kate Lnella is at 
home with her mother: Charles \\'illiam 
passed away in 1900 at the age of thirty- 
seven years. He married Amy Ackers, who 
is still living and they became the parents 
•of three children : Florence, who passed 
away June 22. 1901 : Ruth M. iind Helen L. 
When thirt\-three years of age Harry 
A. P. Hill located upon the home farm, at 
that time comprising ninety-seven and one- 
lialf acres of good land. H^ possessed 
strong literary tastes and when not engaged 
\\^ith the duties of the farm was always 
reading, thus gradually extending his kno-wl- 
•edge into many channels. He took a deep 
and active interest in ever\-thing pertain- 
ing to the public welfare and withheld his 
support from no movement or measure 
which he I^elieved would benefit his fellow 
men. He was largelv instrumental in se- 



curing the building of the new road thirteen 
years ago. It was constructed east and west 
from the state road to the farm pike and as 
a public highway has proved of great value. 
In his political views Air. Hill was a Re- 
publican, who served as sujjervisor and as 
school director for a number of years. He 
was a member and steward of the Methodist 
Episco])al church an<l all of his family re- 
tained membership with that denomination. 
Domestic in his tastes and habits, he found 
his greatest happiness when with his wife 
and children at his own fireside and he con- 
sidered no personal sacrifice too great that 
Wf)uld promote the welfare or enhance the 
happiness of his family. His loss was there- 
fore very greatly felt by them, and the en- 
tire community mourned one whom it had 
kiiMwii only to respect and honor. He 
passed away April 15, 1891, after a linger- 
ing illness of twentv-two months. 



HENRY DRESBACH DRUM. 



Henry Dresbach Drum, a farmer and 
daiiryman. residing on sectinn 17, (rret^i- 
field township, was born in Lancaster, Ohio, 
June 3, 1829. His father, Henry Drum, 
was a native of X'irginia and married Ma- 
ria Hauchmau', who was a native of Mary- 
land. They came to Lancaster in 181 7 and 
the father established a cooper shop, in the 
conduct of which enterprise he met with 
gratifying success. With the money thus 
acquired he entered into partnership w ith a 



Mr. McCrackens in the establishment df a 
general meroaiitile store, .\fter a numlx'-r 
i>f years, however, he sold his interest in 
that jjusiness, but conducted his cooper shop 
for some time thereafter, b^or many years 
he was a justice of the peace and was serv- 
ing ;is postmaster of Lancaster at the time 
of his death in March. 1835. He left a 
widow and seven children, two of whom are 
still living, the younger being Jacob, -who 
resides at Fort Scott, Kansas, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 327 

The elder, Henry Dresbach Drum, spent Tin, mas Drake to Susan Fetters, a daugh- 

his early days upon a farm and faithfully ter of Thomas Fetters, a farmer near Lan- 

engaged in the operation of a pi.rtable saw- caster, who was Iiorn on the old family 

mill. Fie offered his ser\'ices to tlie govern- Immestead which his father had entered 

ment as a Union soldier at the time of the fromi the governnicnt many years before. 

Civil war but was rejected on account of Unto Mr. and Mrs. Drum ha\'e been born 

disability. Later, when the governor ui fwe children, but Sarah died in early wom- 

O'hio called for \-0'lunteers to. protect the anlioo<l. Those still lix-ing are: IMary J., 

state from the threatened invasion', he was Cora B. and Alaude M.. who are at home; 

among the first toi respond tO' the call. The and Thomas H., who wedded JNIary Gier- 

ccmpany elected Kit Rufifner as its captain hardt and resides on one of the old home 

and they were known as the Squirrel Hun- farms in a new house built for him just op- 

ters. Each man brought his rifle and am- p(xsite the parental home, 
munition and some provisions to the fields In early life Mr. Drum AVas a Tackson 

of encampment. Our subject still has his Democrat, giving his suj^port to that partv 

discharge papers in which he was calleil until tlie inauguration of the Civil war, since 

Dresbach Drum, as that was the name b\- which time he has supported the Republi- 

which he went into tlie service in order to can party. He and his family attend the 

be distinguished from his father, whose Methodist church and as' a citizen he is 

first name was Henry, the same as his own. deeply interested in everything pertaining to 

The discharge papers bear the names of Da- the welfare aixl progress of the comnnmity. 

vid Tod. go\-ernior, P. P. Lane, colonel com- Mr. Drum's time is largely occupied by his 

manding, and Major Malcolm McDowell, extensive business and is thereby winailng 

Mr. Drum also' has another historical doc- creditable success. He has a large herd of 

ument, a transcript of the resolutions of Jersey cattle which he has bred up to a high 

thanks to the Squirrel Hunters, passed by standard. His farm is Located along the 

the Ohio legislature March 4, 1863, signed Lancaster pike within a mile of Carroll and 

by the governor. its high state of fertiHty can be judged from 

On the i8th of September, 1865, Mr. the fact that recently he sold twenty acres 

Drum was united in marriage b}- the Rev. for one hundred dollars per acre. 



AMBROSE LARGER. 

Ambrose Larger is a prosperous and en- long been a factor in public life, serving as 

terprising business man whose well directed postmaster of Hamburg for many years, and 

efforts indicate his capability, his keen dis- is a most highly respected citizen. 
cernmient and resolute firmnessi. He has Mr. Larger was born in .Alsace, France. 



328 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



now a province nf (lemiany, on the 13th 
of April, 1850, and is a son of Francis Lar- 
ger, wlio served in the Frencli army for 
fonrteen years. By occupation he was sta- 
tionarv engineer and lie spent his hfe in his 
native country, dying in Alsace, where his 
wife also spent her entire life. In their fam- 
ily were five ciiildren. three .sons and two 
daughters, of whom four are still living: 
Francis, who died in Alsace when about 
sixty years of age; Aloysius, who was a 
member of the French army and is now em- 
ployed as an engineer in the watch facton,^ 
in Columbus, Ohio; Josqihine. the widow 
of Jacob Bobairietli. liy whom she had a 
son. Joseph, now residing with his mother 
in F'elleringer. Alsace; Margaret, the wife 
of Joseph Sifferlen. who is employed as a 
car repairer in the railroad shops in Colum- 
Inis. and Ijy wliom she has two children, Am- 
brose and Joseph ; and Ambrose, who is the 
subject of this review and the youngest of 
the sons of the family. 

Ambrose Larger spent the' first seven- 
teen years of his life in the land of 
his nativity, during which time he attended 
the public schools. In the year 1867 he 
crossed the Atlantic to the L'nitetl States 
and landed at Xew Yoi-k. but did not tarry 
l(»ng in the eastern nietro«ix>lis, making his 
way to Lancaster. Ohio, where he bail an 
uncle who was engaged in the tanning busi- 
ness, niis was Joseph Wis.sang. and Mr. 
Larger remained! with him, assisting him 
in the work of the tannery until the death 
of Mr. Wissang. which occurred in 1876. 
In that year Mr. Larger went to Cincinnati, 
where he comi^eted the task of learning the 



tanner's trade. For two years he remained 
in that city and then returned to Fairfield 
comity, taking charge of the tannery at 
Hamburg, in Hocking township. This he 
conducted until alx)ut 1885. He was ai> 
pointed postmaster of Hamburg by Presi- 
dent (irant and served until the office was 
discontinued. Later, however, the office 
was re-established and he was reai)pointed 
by President Cleveland, serving during both 
administrations of that Denwx-ratic execu- 
tive, although he is a stanch l^epublican. 
He then resigned and went to Columbus, 
where he accepted a position as car inspec- 
tor, remaining in the capital city for four 
years. On the ex])iration of that period he 
returned to Hamburg and was reappointed 
postmaster by President McKinley in 1898, 
since which time he has continuously served. 
In connection with di.scharging the duties 
of this oflice he is also conducting a grocery 
store, the only one at Hamburg. It is well 
stocked with a large and carefully selected 
line of staple and fancy groceries and he is 
enjoying the liberal patronage which comes 
from many of the leading farmers through- 
out this portion of the country. 

On the 14th of June, 1881, Mr. Larger 
was united in marriage in Lancaster ti^ 
Miss Lavina Brown, who was born in Lan- 
caster and is a daughter of Francis Brown, 
a stonemason who followed liis trade for 
many years in the county seat. Their we<l- 
ding has been blessed with three children: 
Ainiie. who is now nineteen years of age; 
I'Vank. who is attending school : and Ed- 
ward, who is also pursuing his education. 
All of llie chiklrcn were lK>rn in Hocking 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



329 



township. Air. Larger and his family are 
communicants of tlie Roman Catliolic 
churcli. He is trul}- a self-made man, for 
he had no capital when, attracted by the op- 
portunities of the new world, he crossed the 
briny deep. He placed his dependence upon 
earnest effort, unremitting diligence and 
laudable ambition, and gradually he has ad- 



vanced until he lias acquired a liandsome 
ciiinpetence. He is held in high esteem by 
his fellow citizens as a man of upright deal- 
ing, and that he is a worthy public officer is 
strongl)- indicated by the fact that he has 
been so long continued in the. position of 
l)ostmaster under several different adminis- 
trations. 



GEORGE A. LUTZ. 



Among the business men whose progres- 
sive and enterprising efforts contribute to 
the substantial upbuilding" and commercial 
activity of Amanda is George A. Lutz, a 
member of the firm of Lutz Brothers, deal- 
ers in dry goods and groceries. Throughout 
his entire life he has resided in Ohio, and 
is a representative of one of its honored pio- 
neer families. His birth occurred in Salt 
Creek township, Pickaway county, on the 
13th of July, 1858. His father, Levi Lutz, 
was born in the same township in 1830, but 
the grandfather, John Lutz, was a native of 
Berks county, Pennsylvania. His brother. 
Samuel, lived to the advanced age of one 
hundred and two years. It was John Lutz 
who established the family in Ohio, emi- 
grating to Pickaway county, where he cast 
in his lot with the early settlers. Amid 
the wild scenes of frontier days Levi Lutz 
was reared and assisted in the arduous task 
of developing and cultivating a new farm. 
He married Hannah Mowery, who was 
born in Salt Creek township, Pickaway 

18 



county, in 1832. Her father, Peter Mow- 
ery, was a native of Pennsylvania and a 
representative of an old Dutch family. He, 
too, was numbered among the early settlers 
of Pickaway county. In the year 1859 the 
father of our subject removed with his fam- 
ily to Fairfield county and settled on a farm 
one and a quarter miles south of Amanda. 
There his wife died in the spring of 1870. 
She was the mother of seven children : Sarah 
E., who died in 1883; George A., the sub- 
ject of this review; Laura A. ; Carrie J., who 
died in 18S4; Emma M., the wife of Por- 
ter Conrad, a farmer who resides in Aman- 
da township; Edmund, a member of the firm 
01 Lutz Brothers ; and Milton C. 

In the usual manner of farm lads of the 
period George A. Lutz was reared. The 
sun shown down upon many a field which 
he i)lowed and planted, for he assisted in 
the farm work through the summer months 
and in the winter season attended the 
schools of Clear Creek township, remaining 
upon the home farm until twenty-five years 



330 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of age. In 1883 be was united in marriage 
to Miss Ella Kiefaber, of Clear Creek town- 
ship, a daughter of Bernard and Elizabeth 
(Brown) Kiefaber. The young couple be- 
gan their domestic life in Clear Creek town- 
ship, but in 1887 removed to Tennessee, 
spending four years upon a farm in Obion 
county. On the expiration of that period 
they took up their aijode in Oakland, Fair- 
field county. Ohio, where Mr. Lutz engaged 
in merchandising for ten years. On the ex- 
piration of that period he came to Amanda 
township and soon afterward settled in the 
village of Amanda, where he and liis brother 
established their present store under the 
firm name of Lutz Brothers. Here they are 
carrying a large and well selected stock of 
general merchandise and receive a liberal 
patronage. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lutz has 



been blessed with four children: Leslie K., 
^^ illie M., Fred A. and Estelle. The par- 
ents are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, take a very active part in its work 
and contribute liberally to its support. ]\lr. 
Lutz is now serving as one of its trustees 
and for a number of years has been a teacher 
in the Sunday-school. He served as post- 
master in Clear Creek township, and has 
also been called ujwn to administer estates. 
Fraternally he is connected with Central 
Star Lodge, Xo. 489, K. P. His life record 
shows that the qualifications necessary for 
success are a high amlntinii mid a resolute, 
honorable purpose to reach the standard that 
h.as betn set up. From an early da_\' lie has 
been dependent ui)on his own resources and 
has won the proud American title of a self- 
made man. He enjuys the esteem and con- 
fidence of all who know him. 



ALOYS FROMLET. 



Aloys Fromlet, a son of Joseph and 
Barbara (Frick) Fromlet, was bom ALay 
I, 1850, in Leichtenstein, a small province 
on the border of Switzerland. His parents 
and four children, of wliom .\loys was the 
youngest, emigrated to this country in the 
spring of 1 85 1 and landed at New Orleans 
during the cholera epidemic. The mother 
and one child succumbed to the dread dis- 
ease before the famil\- reached St. Louis 
and were buried near Cairo. Illinois. The 



father and his three boys, Peter, Ferdinand 
and Aloys, located in Dayton, Ohio, where 
he enlisted in the Union army and served 
until the close of the Civil war, when he 
returned to Dayton, and resiiled there until 
the close of his life, in 1888. The family 
name was originally Fromelt. 

.\loys learned the trade of a tinner in 
Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1S70 he located in 
Rantoul, Illinois, where he engaged in the 
tin and hardware business. On the 19th of 



THE BWGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



331 



December, 1872, he was married to Aliss 
Margaret Karr, of Champaign county, IIH- 
nois, who died March 17, 1879, leaving one 
child, Laura Maude, who still survives her 
father. In 1880 he removed to Chicago, 
where he remained several years, and then 
located in Anderson, Indiana, where he con- 
ducted a dry goods and millinery store un- 
til 1889, when he came to Lancaster, Ohio, 
and opened the store called the Lion store. 
Fromlet Brothers & Ward being partners, 
to which business Mr. Fromlet succeeded 
as sole owner in 1895. 

On the 1 8th of June, 1896, Mr. Fromlet 
was united in marriage to Miss Julia E. 
Beck, the onlv surviving daughter of 



the late George G. and Maria Louise 
Beck. On March 8. 1897, after a short ill- 
ness, he passed to the great beyond, when 
in his forty-seventh }ear. \\^herever he had 
resided he had gained many warm friends, 
his affable and courteous manners and his 
upright way in conducting his business 
winning for him the confidence and esteem 
of all with whom he had any dealings. He 
was the first dry goods merchant in Lan- 
caster to introduce the cash system. After 
his death his daughter ]\taude purchased an 
interest in his business with J. O. James as 
partner. The following year, however, she 
sold out to Mr. James and went to London, 
England, where she has since resided. 



HERBERT F. MECHLING. 



Herbert F. }vlechling, who is capably 
filling the office of city clerk of Lancaster, 
is an enterprising, progressive man, widely 
and favourably known in Fairfield county. 
He was born in Greensburg, Westmore- 
land county, Pennsylvania, om the 7th of 
October, 1861, his parents being the Rev. 
George W. and Amanda (Trimble) ]\lech- 
ling. For thirty-seven years the father has 
been pastor of St. Peter's Lutheran church 
in Lancaster, and has had the degree of 
D. D. conferred upon him. He was bor;i 
in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, 
while his wife is a nati\-e of Columbus, Ohio, 
and on the moral de\'elopment of the com- 



munity they ha\-e exerted string and bene- 
ficial infiuence. 

Under the paternal roof, Herbert F. 
Mechling spent the days of his childhood 
and at the usual age entered the public 
schools of Lancaster. Subsequentl_\- he was 
a student in Eastman's Commercial College 
at Po'Ughkeepsie, Xew York, and was there 
graduated with the class of 1881. He en- 
tered upon his liusiness career in the cast, 
spending one year in the sugar refinery in 
New York city. Returning then to Lan- 
caster, he accepted a position as bookkeeper 
in the Fairfield County Bank and after re- 
maining for some time went to Columbus, 



33^ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Ohio, wiiere fi>r ten years he was employed 
as a lxx>kkeei>er and traveling salesman for 
Samuel Buthe & Company. His next home 
was in Hume, Illinois, where he embarketl 
in the cattle business under the fn-m name 
of Woo<Is & Mechling. Later, however, he 
disposed of his interests in the west and re- 
turned to Lancaster, where he became man- 
ager for F. C. Nelbe, proprietor of the Al- 
leghany quarries. Since September, 1895, 
however, he has been continuously in offi- 
cial service, having at that time been elected 
city clerk, in which capacity he has served 
continuously since, his present term expir- 
ing in the spring of 1903, at which time he 
will iiave lieen the incumbent of the office 
for eight years. He is very accurate, thor- 
ough and systematic in the discharge of his 
duties, and his record is one of which he 
has every reason to be proud, for it has 
brought him high encomiums and the un- 
qualified commendation of those who are 
familiar with the work of the office. 

In November, 1891, Mr. Mechling was 
married to INIiss Anna L. Getz, a daughter 



of Henry and Christina (Latter) Getz, her 
parents belonging to old families of Fair- 
held county, and Mrs. Mechling was born, 
reared and educated in the city of Lancas- 
ter. By her marriage she has become the 
mother of two children, Ruth E. and George 
W. She iiolds membership in St. Peter's 
Evangelical Lutheran church, one of the 
oldest religious organizations of Lancaster. 
Mr. ]\Iechling belongs to the Bismark Club 
and since its organization, in 1897, has 
served as its secretary. His political sup- 
port is given the Democracy and he takes 
an active part in local, county and state ix)li- 
tics. He was for two years secretary of the 
department of state supervisors of Fairfield 
county and his labors in behalf of his party 
have been effective and tar-reaching. Hav- 
ing long resided in Lancaster, he has a wide 
acquaintance here and the friends of his 
l)oyhood have continued their high regard 
for him throughout the years of his man- 
hood, a fact which indicates his sterling 
worth and his fidelity to all qualities of an 
upright manhood.' 



HENRY C. WILLIAMSON. 



Henry C. Williamson is a retired farmer \\'illiamson, was a native of Virginia, boni 

in blue during the Civil war. He is now liv- in 1801, and the great-grandfather was 

ing in a pleasant home in Lancaster, enjoy- George Williamson, Sr., whose birth oc- 

ing the fruit of fnrmcr toil. He was born curred in Scotland and who was one of the 

in Bloom township, this county, on the 13th old school Presljyterians. The graiKli)arents 

of October, 1843. His father, George ^^^ of our subject were Theodore and Rhoda 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



335 



(Prater) Williamson, who in 1808 removed 
with their family of ten children to Ohio, 
taking up their abode in Bloom township, 
Fairfield county, where the grandfather 
purchased one hundred and sixty acres in 
the green woods. The first house was a 
log cabin about sixteen by twenty feet. It 
contained one room, which served the pur- 
pose of kitchen, parlor and bedroom. Al- 
though the Cjuarters were not very com- 
modious, hospitality reigned supreme and 
many a guest was received beneath their pio- 
neer roof. Indians were far more numerous 
than the white people and in motley garb 
stalked through the forest, which they 
claimed as their dominion until encroaching 
civilization caused them to seek homes fur- 
ther west. The \\'iIliamson family endured 
all the hardships and privations incident to 
the settlement of a new country. Game was 
plentiful and the greater part of the meat for 
the family table was secured through the 
use of the rifle in the forest. In the family 
were six sons, including George \\'. Will- 
iamson, and all aided in the arduous task 
of developing and improving the new farm. 
After arriving at years of maturity 
George W. Williamson was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Elizabeth Kemp, oif Fairfield 
county, a daughter of Henry and Mary 
Kemp. They became the parents of ten 
children, nine of whom reached adult age: 
Theodore, lx)rn September 8, 1824, resides 
at Hilliard, O'hio; Sarah, born February 14, 
1827, married Zephiniah Courtright : 
Zeruah, born July 18, 1829, married William 
Cnffman; Martha, horn October 14, 183 1, 
married So'lomon Alspach, of Missouri; 



Lorinda, born June 28, 1834, became the 
wife of John E. Courtright of Paulding, 
Ohio ; E\'aline died in childhoijd ; Elizabeth, 
born January 28, 1839, married Israel 
Bolenljaugh and is now deceased; Amanda, 
born August 10, 1841, married John Coff- 
man, and is also deceased ; Henry C, 
is the next of the family; and William A., 
born March 7, 1846, still resides on the old 
home farm in Bloom township'. 

In taking up the persi>nal history of 
Henry C. Williamson we present to our 
readers the life record of one who is widely 
known in Fairfield county, ha\'ing spent his 
entire life within its Iwrders. In the usual 
manner of farmer lads of the period he spent 
the days of his boyhood and youth, pursuing 
his education in the district schouls in the 
winter months and working in field and 
meadnw in the summer. He was thus en- 
gaged until 1862, when, at his country's call 
for troops, he enlisted as a member of the 
Union army, joining Company D, Ninetieth 
Ohio Infantry, under command of C(.ilonel 
Ross. He ser\-ed for two years and tnur 
months and participated in many important 
engagements which lead to final victory, in- 
cluding those at Stone River, Franklin, 
Chattajiooga, Chickamauga and Nashville, 
Tennessee. At the last named he sustained 
a severe wound, a shot piercing his right 
arm and shattering the bone so that the 
member had to be amputated close to the 
shoulder. He was taken to the Imspital, 
where he remained six weeks, at the end of 
which time he started for home, taking pas- 
sage on a steamiboat at Louisville. Kentucky, 
hut while en route was stricken with small- 



330 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



pox and transterretl to the pest hospital at 
Covington, Kentucky. In September, 1865, 
he received an honorable discharge and re- 
turned to his home, having made a great 
sacrifice for his country, yet happy in the 
consciousness that he had done his full duty 
in j)reserving the Union and aiding in the 
abolishment of slavery. 

For a short time after his return home 
Mr. Williamson continued his education in 
the home schools and then entered Wesleyan 
University at Delaware, Ohio, where he 
pursued his studies for a year, and later he 
took a course in the commercial college at 
Zanesville. Ohio. He then returned to the 
old homestead in Bloom townshi]), where he 
again engaged in general farming and stock 
raising and throughout the acti\e years of 
his business career carried on agricultural 
pursuits. 

In December, 1871. Mr. A\'illiamson was 
united in marriage to :^Iiss Sarah A. Tip- 
ton, of Fairfield county. She was born in 
Licking county, Ohio. November 27, 1844, 
and is tiie second daughter of John C. and 
Medina M. (Wheeler) Tipton. Her fa- 
ther was a native of Virginia, and when six- 
teen years of age came to Ohio with his 
parents, Joshua and Elizabeth Tipton, the 
family locating in Linnvillc. Licking coimty. 
When young he learned the brick mason's 
trade, which he followed during the greater 
part of his life. He married Medina M. 
W'heeler, a native of Pickaway county, 
Ohio, and a daughter of Isaac and Maiy 
Wheeler. Tliis marriage resulted in the 
birth of the following children: Mary V.., 
who became the wife of Henry Snelling, of 



Licking county, now proprietor of a hotel 
in Ashville, Pickaway county; Sarah A., 
wife of our subject; Benjamin F., a resi- 
dent of Bloom township, Fairfield county; 
William J., a farmer of Franklin county; 
John C, a resident of Royalton; and Jennie 
E., now ^Irs. Henry Pontius, of Lancaster. 
Mrs. Tipton died on a farm in Bloom town- 
ship, March 13, 1890, and Mr. Tipton passed 
away at the home of our subject, October 
15, 1900. Six children have Ijeen torn to 
otir subject and his wife, namely : Cora M. 
is now the wife of Frank Barr. of this coun- 
ty, and they have three children : Alvin 
Williamson, Eva Ruth and Floyd Ellsworth. 
Lillian E. died September 10, 1877, at the 
age of two years and seven months. Stella 
Annetta is at home. Ada F. is now teach- 
ing school. Achsa Futilla and I\Lnchsa 
Florilla, twins, were graduated from the 
Lancaster high school in June. 1902, anil re- 
side at home. 

After his marriage Mr. Williamson be- 
gan farming on his own account on a ninety- 
three-acre farm in Bloom towiiship, which 
was deeded to him by his father. When his 
financial resources increased he added to his 
possessions by the purchase of an atlditional 
tract of one hundred and thirteen acres an<I 
thus was the owner of more than two hun- 
dred acres. The care and labor which he 
bestowed upon his fields brou.ght to him ex- 
cellent harvests and through the sale of his 
products he acquired a gootl financial return 
for his labors. In 1895 he removed from 
the farm to Lancaster, where he has since 
resided. He has two and one-half acres of 
land here, upon which is a ])leasanf residence 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



337 



and good, substantial biiildings. In his po- 
litical affiliations 'Sir. A\'illiamson is a Re- 
publican when national issues are invoh-ed. 
but at local elections votes independently, re- 
garding only the capability and trustworthi- 
ness of the candidate. He is a member of 
the Union Veteran Legion and the Encamp- 
ment, and as a citizen is as true to-dav to his 



Cduntry as when he wore the l:)lue uniform 
of the Union and followed the old flag on 
scLithern battle-fields. The success which 
has crowned his efforts is well merited, for 
without capital he entered upon his business 
career and steadily has he advanced until he 
is now the possessor of a comfortable com- 
petence. 



JOHN P. HARMON. 



John P. Harmon is a representative of 
one of the oldest families of Fairfield coun- 
ty and the farm upon which he lives on sec- 
tion 2y, Pleasant township, has been in pos- 
session of the family for more than a cen- 
tury. In the house, which is still his home, 
three generations of the family have laeen 
born. His grandfather, John P. Harmon, 
came to this county from Westmoreland 
county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1800, set- 
tling in Pleasant township about the same 
time as the i\lacklins, the Buchanans and the 
Bonseys. He purchased a large tract of 
land and latter erected a house which is still 
standing upon the farm and is now owned 
by John P. Harmon of this review. For 
about a century it has looked forth upon the 
conditions which have made the history of 
this portion of the state. It is one of the old 
landmarks of the county and is of peculiar 
interest to the family on account of the an- 
cestral connections with tJic place. 

Jolm P. Harmon, the father of our sub- 



ject, was Imrn in Xo\-ember. 1804, in this 
house and loved the spot so well that he was 
never far away from the farm throughout 
his entire life. His final resting place is in 
sight of the old home, for his remains were 
interred on the farm. He was united in 
marriage to Eliza Huddle, wIk) was born in 
Fretlerick county, Virginia, her father, An- 
drew Hudelle, having been a planter of that 
state. They became the parents of eleven 
children, of whom six are yet living : B. F., 
a farn.ier of Stark county, Ohio: C. B., who 
is in the teaming business in Lancaster; 
John P. \vho resides on the home farm; 
Victoria, the wife of David Ruffner, a farm- 
er of Mercer county, Ohio ; Medora, the wife 
of J. D. Spitler, also an agriculturist of 
Mercer county; and Ella, tlie wife of Jesse 
Rose, a farmer of the same county. 

No event of special importance occurred 
to vary the routine of farm life for John P. 
Harmon during his b(\\-hood ;ind youlh. 
He earlv became familiar with the \\iirk of 



338 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the home farm and assisted in the cultivation 
of the fields from the time of spring plant- 
ing until crops were garnered in the autumn. 
During the winter months he attended the 
district schools. After arriving at years of 
maturity lie wedded Rehecca Ruft'ner and 
unto them have been horn seven children : 
Ora. Ethel, Mabel. Fannie, Martha. Mary 
anrl Frederick. Mary and Martha are 
twins. .\I1 are still under the parental roof 
and are being pro\ided with good educa- 
tional privileges to fit them for the practical 
and res]ionsible duties of life. 

Mr. liarninn comes of a long lived fam- 
ily, of quiet industrious tillers of the soil, 
and manv of them ha\e lived to lie o\-er 



ninety years of age. The old homestead is 
improved with many modern equipments to 
facilitate the farm work. Upon the place is 
a pear tree which was planted by his father 
wlien a boy of about ten years. This would 
make the tin-ee over eighty years of age and 
the remarkable fact is that each year it l^ears 
fruit and appears still to be in a healthy con- 
dition. Our subject and his wife hold mem- 
bershii) in the United Brethren church and 
earnestly eiulea\or to follow the teachings 
of the Mastei', rearing their children in the 
fear and admonition of the Lonl. Their 
genuine worth and fidelity to the principles 
in which they believe have won for him 
manv friends. 



HENRY BOYER. 



In the days of his infancy Henry Boyer 
'ivas brought to Fairfield county, where he 
has since resided. He was born in Schuyl- 
kill county. Pennsylvania, Xovcmber 24, 
1837, and it was the following year tliat his 
parents came to the Buckeye state. He is a 
son of John and Susana (Rodebaugh) Boyer, 
who were also natives of Pennsylvania. 
Loading some of their household effects on 
a wagon they drove across the country to 
Carroll, Ohio, arriving in about the mid- 
dle of November, 1838. They took up their 
aliode upon the farm where the subject of 
this review now lives and the father there 
reached the age of sixty-eiglu years, while 



his wife passed away at the age uf seventy 
years. In their family were eight children : 
Isaac, George and Jacob, who are now de- 
ceased ; Charles ; Mary Ann ; Henry ; Will- 
iam and Sarah. 

No event of special importance occurred 
to \ary the routine of farm life for Henry 
Boyer in his ycnith. The sun shone down 
on many a field which he plowed and plant- 
ed, as lie assisted his father in the work 
of cultivating and improving the land. 
Throughfut the years of his manhood 
he has carried on the occupation to 
which he was reared and his labors have 
resulted in bringing to him a very com- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



341 



fortable living. He was married in 1S60 
to Miss Katie M. Hummell, a daughter of 
Isaac and Magdaline (Aliller) Hummell, 
who were nati\-es of Pennsylvania and in 
whose family were sixteen children, as fol- 
lows : John ; William ; Solomon ; Daniel ; 
David; Elijah; Louis; Lafayette; Polly, the 
wife of Charles Dilley ; Savina, the wife of 
Erving Mason; Katie, who is now Mrs. 
Boyer; and five who have passed away, 
namely : Anna, Mary Ann, Isaac, Julia and 
Aaron. The father of this family was a 
shoemaker by trade and followed that oc- 
cupation in Bloom township near Salem 
church. He had come from Pennsylvania 
to OhiO' with a one-horse wagon and had 
taken up his abode in Bloom township in 
pioneer days. There he spent the remainder 
of his life and was known as a consistent and 
loyak member of the Salem church. His 
death occurred in 1884, when he had at- 
tained the age of seventy years. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Boyer 
has been blessed with five children : Will- 



iam, a resident of Star City, Indiana; Cal- 
vin, who makes his home in San Francisco, 
California; Annie, the wife of M. E. Brett, 
of San Francisco; Franklin, who died at 
the age of sixteen months; and George, a 
resident of Bloom township. It was in De- 
cember, 187.4, when Mr. Boyer and his fam- 
ily removed to the old homestead, where he 
has since remained. For twelve years he re- 
sided on the southwest corner of Bloom 
township and his attention has ever been 
given to the work of cultivating the soil, 
his labors being attended by a high degree 
of success. In 1864 he wias in the gov- 
ernment empio}-, but during the greater 
part of his life he has given his time and 
energies to agricultural pursuits. His work 
is carefully conducted and he is systematic 
and methodical in all that he undert?kes. As 
the }-ears have passed his diligence has 
brouglit to him a comfortable competence 
and he is numbered among the well-to-do 
and up-to-date scientific farmers of his 
adopted county. 



F. ASBURY HOLLIDAY. 



Among the citizens of Fairfield county 
will) have joined the great "silent majority,"" 
but who had been actixx factors in the af- 
fairs of this portion of the state, was F. 
Aslnnw Holliday, and his memory is _\et 
cherished, not only by his immediate fam- 
ily, but l}y man}' wh-i knew him and en- 
joyed his friendship. He was born in Rush 
Creek township ^lay 29, 1827, u])on tlic 



farm which is yet the home of ins widow. 
His father, Zebulon Holliday, was a native 
of Maryland and in pioneer times removed 
to Ohio and was here married to Elizabeth 
Kieser, a nati\-e of Rush Creek township. 
They became the parents of the following- 
children: \\'csley, ^^'illianl, .Vsburv, Sam- 
uel, Reeky, Ann and Sarah. After the death 
of his first wife Zebulon Hollid;i\- married 



342 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Miss Wilson, and tliey liad tliree cliildren : 
Harriet; Mary, now ileceased; and Matikla. 
The father purchased a farm near Rush- 
ville and afterward purchased tlie land upon 
which Mrs. F. Asbury Holliday is now liv- 
ing. The tract then comprised one hun- 
dred and sixty-six acres, but at the present 
time two hundred and sixty-one acres are 
comprised within the boundaries of the 
farm. The pioneer home was an old log 
cabin, and in it the family lived in true 
frontier style, but they made the most of 
their opportunities and as the years passed 
the comforts known to the older east were 
introduced and enjoyed by them. In his 
political views Mr. Holliday was a AN'hig 
until the organization of the Republican 
parly, when he jdined its ranks. He hekl 
membership in the Methodist church and 
was a most earnest Christian gentleman, 
serving as one of the exhorters in the church. 
1'. Asbury Holliday, when a little lad of 
six summers, became a student in the schools 
of Rush Creek township. His advantages, 
h()we\er, were very meager, as he had the 
privilege of attending only for about one or 
two months each year. His training at 
farm labor, howc\er. was in no wise lim- 
ited, for as soon as old enough to handle 
the plow he began work in the fields and 
the sun shone down upon man\- a tract on 
which he turned t!ie furrows. When he luid 
left school ])crnianently he ioincd his father 
in farming operati(jns and practical experi- 
ence had made him well htted for the work. 
At the age of twenty-three years he was 
united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Ruther- 
ford, of Rush Creek township, born in \'ir- 



ginia, whence she came to Ohio when a 
little maiden of two summers. They began 
their domestic life upon the farm which is 
still the home of Mrs. Holliday, All of the 
land was cleared but about thirty acres, and 
;Mr, Holliday gave his attention to the 
further development and improvement of 
the farm. Unto him and his wife were born 
five children. The eldest, William, resides 
one mile north of Oak Fort. James A. 
is living one mile east of Pleasantville. 
Clara A. is the wife of Arthur Kinsel, of 
Pleasant\ille. I'rancis A. and Samuel B. 
arc now operating the home farm in a 
highly creditable manner. 

Mr. Holliday voted with the Democratic 
party. He served as a school director and 
as supervisor, and in ])ublic office, as in 
business and social life, he was true to the 
duties devolving upon him. He and his 
wife were members of the Methodist church 
and his life was at all times guided by and 
permeated with Christian principles. He 
passed away in 18S5 and in his death the 
community lost one whom it had come to 
know as a reputable citizen, tlevoted to the 
public good. The sons, Samuel and Fran- 
cis Hollidaw now engaged in the operation 
of the home farm. The latter was born in 
i8f)i and actpiired his early education in the 
l)ublic schools of Rush Creek township, 
while later he continued his studies in Pleas- 
ant\ille, Ohio. On piuting aside his text 
books he resumed work on the farm and is 
now asj'ociated with his brother in agricult- 
ural pursuits whereby he has gained a com- 
fortable competence. They make a specialty 
of the raising of stock, raising only grain 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



343 



enough to feed tlicir domestic animals. 
Tliey liave horses, cattle ami sheep and their 
sales are large and bring to them a good re- 
turn. 

In 1880 Francis Holliday was united in 
marriage to Miss Mary J. Bunworth, a na- 
tive of Perry county. They now have ime 
child, Charles Oatley. Mr. Holliday has 
followed in the political footsteps of his fa- 
ther, endorsing the men and measures of 
the Democracy, and is a member of the 
Alethodist church. 

Samuel Holliday, the younger brother, 



was born in 1868, and after becoming fa- 
miliar with the branches of learning taught 
in the district schools, he went to Pleasant- 
ville, where he continued his studies for 
some time. On his father's death he began 
work upon the home farm and both he and 
his brother are recognized as young men of 
good business ability, energetic and pro- 
gressive. All of the modern equipments and 
accessories of a model farm are found upon 
their place, and in the management of the 
property they have shown themselves to be 
honest and trustworthy. 



DANIEL GIESY. 



Daniel Giesy was for a number of years 
a prominent representative o-f mercantile in- 
terests of Lancaster, but is now living re- 
tired. He was born in this city May 3, 
1833. His father, John Ulric Giesy, was a 
native of Switzerland, born in 1787. In 
the land of the Alps he was reared to man- 
hood antl acquired a good common school 
education. When) a young man he emi- 
grated to the new world, believing that he 
might have better business opportunities in 
the United States, the year of his arrival 
being 1805. Takhig up his abode in' Lan- 
caster, Ohio, he here established a bakery, 
which he continued to successfully conduct 
for a number O'f years. He was also eu'- 
gaged in the hotel business and erected 
what becam'e known as the old Giesy House, 
which was tlie first hotel erected in Lan- 



caster. During that period he bought a 
farm southwest of the city, to which he re- 
moved in the early '505, and there died in 
1856. He was very successful in all his 
business undertakinigs and when lands were 
cheap he purchased a considerable amotmt, 
which rose in value with the growth of the 
county and the improvem'entsi placed there- 
on. Mr. Giesy also owned and operated a 
flouring mill and carried forward to suc- 
cessful completion whatever he undertook, 
being a man of resolute purpose and un- 
flagging enterprise. His political support 
was given the Democracy and he strongly 
endorsed the principles advocated l)y Jeffer- 
son. He and his wife were devoted mem- 
bers of the Grace Reformed church, to 
winch he contributed liberally. 

bihn L^. Giesv was married in Lan- 



344 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



caster to Miss Magdalene Hensel, a native 
of Pennsylvania, who came to Lancaster 
witli her parents, John and Martlia Hensel. 
Nine children were born of this union, six 
sons and three daughters : Mary, born I^Iay 
4. 1816; Susan, born July 30, 1820; Eliza- 
beth, who was born May 3, 1822, and is 
now deceased: John U., born February 11, 
1824, Samuel H., bom August 26, 1826, 
and Jacob H., born March 28, 1828, all 
three deceased; William, who was lx>rn 
September 24. 1830, and died in infancy; 
Daniel, of this review; and Henry H., who 
was lx>rn February 17, 1836, and was killed 
in battle during the Civil war while a mem- 
ber of the Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry. 

Daniel Giesy pursued his education in 
the private and district schools of Lan- 
caster. He then entered Capital L'niversity 
at Columbus. Ohio, where he spent one year, 
and on lea\iiTg school he entered upon his 
business career as a clerk in the store of 
Reber & Kutz. He was afterward em- 
ployed in (^ther mercantile establishments 
until 1856, when he l>egan business on his 
own account as a dealer in lx)ots and shoes 
on Main street. For three years he con- 
ducted that enterprise, but in 1859 disposed 
of his stock and engaged in the manufac- 
ture of vinegar, carrying on tliat industry 
for some time. He met with success in tlie 
undertaking, for the excellence of his 
product secured for him a ready sale. Sub- 
sc(|uently he si>ent two years in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, as a salesman for Shillito & Com- 
pany. Returning to Lancaster, he became 
interested in merchandising in coimection 



with Reber & Kutz, and this relation was 
maintained until 1870, when he retired to 
private life, enjoying a well merited rest. 

In 1854 ^Ir. Giesy was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Ellen Haufler, of Lancaster, 
the eldest daughter of John C. aud Mary 
(Hunter) Haufler. Her father was a na- 
tive of Germany, but her mother was born 
in Lancaster, being a daughter of Captain 
Joseph and Dorothy Hunter, who were pio- 
neers of Fairfield c^mnty. Unto our sub- 
ject and his wife have been borm seven chil- 
dren: Helen L.. the eldest, is now de- 
ceased; Henry H., born Januarj- 31. 1858. 
is engaged in the lumber business, the firm 
Ijeing composed of himself and two 
brothers, under the name of H. H. Giesy; 
Edward H., born October 22, 1859. is con- 
nected with his brother in the lumber busi- 
ness at Columbus; John C, liorn August 11, 
1862, is deceased; Frank M., born July 31. 
1866, died in infancy; Ella C. was born 
March 8, 1869; and Robert M., born Janu- 
ary 7. 1 87 1, is also engaged in the whole- 
sale luml)er business. 

In 1862 Mr. Giesy entered the employ 
of the government as abstract clerk in the 
quartermaster's department, with which he 
was connected for about eight months. He 
then returneil to Lancaster, but in 1864 
again accepted a position in the quarter- 
master's department, where he joined his 
brother. He had just reached his post when 
he was captured by the rebels and was held 
a prisoner for four months and a half, being 
confined at Cahaba, Alabama. At the end 
of that time lie was exchanged and returned 
home. Mr. Giesy strongly endorses Re- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



345 



publican principles and has always sup- people oi sterling worth, whose circle of 

ported the party, although he has never been friends is only limited by their circle of ac- 

an office seeker. He and his wife are mem- quaintances. Mr. Giesy is an ardent sup- 

bers of the Grace Reformed church and are porter of the free school system. 



HENRY HENSEL GIESY. 



Among those who offered up their li\-es 
on the altar of their -country during the 
dark days of the Rebellion was Henry Hen- 
sel Giesy, who was born in Lancaster, Ohio, 
February 17, 1836, and was the seventh son 
of John Ulric and Mary Magdalene (Hen- 
sel) Giesy. He was graduated with honors 
from Frank Marshall College in 1857 
and was a member of the Goethean Liter- 
ary Society. After making the needed prep- 
aration he was admitted to the bar, and 
when the Civil war broke out was engaged 
in the practice of his profession in his na- 
tive town. 

As one of the first to respond to his 
country's call for troops, he enlisted for 
three months in the volunteer service and 
was chosen captain of his company. Dur- 
ing that term he was on duty in West Vir- 
ginia. On his return home he raised a new 
company and re-enlisted for three years on 
the 26th of December, 1861. On the 9th 
of the following August he was promoted to 
majoi- for gallant conduct, being chosen to 
that position over three captains whose 
commissions antedated his. The regiment 



to which he belonged was the Forty-sixth 
Ohio Volunteer Lifantry. He was provost 
on the staff of Brigadier General Hugh 
Ewing, commiaruding the Fourth Division, 
Fifteenth Army Corps, in November, 1863, 
and was by him recommended for promo- 
tion-. The colonel of the regiment having 
command of the brigade during Sherman's, 
great battles on his way to Atlanta, Major 
Giesy had command of the regiment. Dur- 
ing the engagement at Dallas, May 28, 
1864, he was mortally wounded, and died 
the following day. 

Brigadier General Charles C. 'Walcott 
in his official report of the battle of Dallas 
says : "This battle, severe as it was upon 
the enemy, cost the country the lives and 
services of many valuable officers and men. 
Colonel Dickerson, One Hundred and Third 
Illinois, and Major Giesy, Forty-sixth Ohio, 
fell mortally wounded and have since died. 
They were both brave and efficient officers 
and received their wounds during the l-ieat 
of the engagement while at the front en- 
couraging their men." He was made brevet 
brigadier general "for gallant and meritor- 



346 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ious services" at the battle of Dallas, of Shiloh, Corinth, Jackson, Missionary 
Georgia, where he \vas killed. He engaged Ridge, Knoxville, Dalton, Resaca and 
^vith distinction and braverv in the battles Dallas. 



JAMES HILLS. 



James Hills, now deceased, was nimi- 
bered among the early settlers and highly 
respected citizens of Fairfield county, and 
whatever tended to promote the growth, 
progress and improvement of this favored 
section of the state won his appro\al ami 
support. His life was ever upright and 
honorable and commended him to the con- 
fidence and regard of all with whom he 
came in contact. He was a native of Bill- 
inghurst, England, born August 24. 1824. 
and his parents spent their entire lives in 
that land. Mr. Hills came to the United 
States in 1852, locating in Fairfield county, 
taking up his alx)de in Lancaster, where he 
engaged in gardening and farming. . He 
also conductetl a greenhouse until a short 
time prior to the Civil war, when he pur- 
chased a farm upon which his widow now 
resides, ami here made a good home for 
him.self and family. 

When his adopted country became in- 
volved in hostilities Iwtween the north and 
south he espoused the Union cause, sening 
for nine months and twenty days. Then, 
the war having ended, he received an hon- 
orable discharge and his loyalty to the coun- 
try was ever one of his marked character- 
istics.' He was deeply interested in its in- 



stitutions and in the extension of its power 
and influence. At the close of the war he 
returned to his home, but his health had be- 
come impaired during the service and he 
was never a well man after that. 

On the 15th of October, 1868. Mr. Hills 
was united in marriage to Miss Caroline 
Davey. a native of England. She is now 
living upon the old homestead in Hocking 
township and is a most estimable lady. 
The marriage of this worthy couple was 
blessed with nine chiklren. Edward Henry. 
born in Harsham. England, on the 9th of 
December. 1849, '^ now extensively en- 
gaged in the raising of wheat in California, 
devoting one thousand acres to that prod- 
uct. He married a Miss Carter. Rhoila A., 
tlie second of the family, is the wife of 
Jacob Walters, a resident farmer of Pleas- 
ant townshi]). Fairfield county, and they 
have three children : James, Flora and 
Charles. Thomas, born in Lancaster. 
March 16. 1854. now resides in Columbus. 
Ohio, where he is engaged in business as a 
contractor. He marrietl Sophia Berrens, 
and they have three children, Dora, Carrie 
and Mattie. Sarah J., bom in Lancaster, 
January 8. i85('>. is the wife of Samuel Nel- 
son, of Zanesville. a brick ntaker. They 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



347 



have six children : Fannie, the widow of 
Edward Alford; George; Carrie; Harry; 
Hattie and Edna. Mary A. is the widow' of 
Samuel Pickering and resides in Lancaster. 
Her children are: Edward, Carrie, jMartha 
and Elsworth. John A., born in i860, is 
connected with a cracker factory in Colum- 
bus, Ohio. He married Lena Creggs, and 
they have one child, Nettie. George B., 
born January 24, 1863, died in infancy. 
Henrietta, his twin sister, died at the age of 
three months. Margaret E., born in April, 
1864, was married and left one daughter, 
who is residing with her grandmother and 
is a bright and attractive yoimg girl. She 
is known by the name of Bertha May Hills. 
Throughout his business career Mr. 
Hills carried on agricultural pm"suits and 



his labors were carefully clirected Ijy sound 
business judgment and keen discrimination. 
His enterprise would brook no' obstacle 
that could be overcome by determiined and 
honorable purpose, and gradually he worked 
his wa}' upward to success, becoming the 
owner of a valuable farm. He never had 
occasion to regret his determination to seek 
a home in the new world, for in his broader 
opportunities he found the advantages he 
' desired and gained not only a comfortable 
ciimpetence but also a large circle of 
friends. He died at his home in Hocking 
township, Alay 10, 1869, I'espected by all 
who had known him. His widow enjoys 
the high esteem of all with whom she has 
been lirought in contact, and she still lives 
upon the farm left to her bv her husband. 



HENRY BALTHASER. 



Like many of the valued citizens of Fair- 
field county, Henry Balthaser came to Ohio 
fmrn Pennsylvania, taking up his aliode in 
Fairfield county at an early day. He now 
resides in Clear Creek township, where he 
■owns and occupies ninety-one acres of rich 
farm land just si>uth cif the village of 
Amanda. He was born in Berks county, 
Pennsylvania. Octolier 13, 1832. and is a 
representative of one of the old families of 
that locality. His paternal grandfather. 
Henry Balthaser, lived and died in Berks 
county. i)eing a well kmiwn farmer and 
prominent m;m there. 



The father of our subject, Henry Balt- 
haser, was born in Berks county, learning 
the carpenter's trade and following that vo- 
catioii throughout his residence in Pennsyl- 
vania, and after coming to Fairfield county 
lie engaged in the operation of a sawmill and 
also devoted a portion of his time to agri- 
cultural pm'suits. For a number of years 
he Cdiitinued the manufacture of lumber. 
He put all of the improvements upon his 
farm and there made a good home for him- 
•sclf and fannly, living at that place until his 
death, which nccurred when he was eighty- 
two years of age. He passed away on the 



348 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



anniversary of his birth, which occurred on 
the 22d of January, 1803. He lield member- 
ship in the Lutheran churcli and liis life was 
permeated by honorable principles and 
Christian teachings. In ])olitics he was a 
Democrat but he ne\er aspireil to office, pre- 
ferring that his attention should be gi\en to 
liis business interests, in which he prospered. 
He was an advocate of all that tended to im- 
prove the ccjmmunity along social, intellect- 
ual and moral lines. His worth as a citizen 
was widely recognized. He married Sarah 
\\'arner, who was also born in Berks county, 
Pennsylvania, and there lived until coming 
to Ohio with her husband. Both were mem- 
bers of the Lutheran church. ]\lrs. Balt- 
haser survived her husband but a short time, 
passing away on the old homestead, June 25, 
1886. She was the mother of eight chil- 
dren, live of whom are now living, the sub- 
ject of this review being the second in order 
of birth. 

Li taking up the personal history of 
Henry Balthaser. whose name introduces 
this record, we ])rescnt to nur readers the 
life record of one who is widely and favor- 
ably known. He has always lived upon the 
home farm in Clear Creek township and 
many of the improvements there are the 
visible evidence of his life of industry and 
earnest toil. He has erected a new and 
modern residence which is an attractive feat- 
ure in the landscape and other equipments 
upon the farm have been secured through 
his efforts. He has always engaged in the 
cultivation of the soil and to some extent 
has carried on stock raising and as the years 
have passed his labors have annually added 
something to his income until now he is one 



of the substantial and well-to-do citizens of 
the community. 

Li 1857 Mr. Balthaser was united in 
marriage to Miss Susanna Kessler, who was 
ijorn in Pickaway county, Ohio, a daughter 
of Michael and Eliza Ann (Shabbel) Kess- 
ler. Her father was a carpenter by trade, 
and removing to Clear Creek township, 
Fairfield county, carried on work along that 
line fijr a number of years. He afterward 
became a resident of Illinois where he died 
at an advanced age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Balthaser have been born twelve children, 
of whom eleven are now living. Theodore, 
who resides in Amanda, was employed as 
engineer in the grain elevator. He married 
Xettie Crites. and their children are — Ollie. 
Eva, and Adolph. Elizabeth is the wife of 
David Barr, a farmer of Amanda township 
and thcv ha\e two children — Bertie and 
Mary. Peter resides in Columbus, Ohio, 
where he is employed as a street car con- 
ductor. He married Efifie Griffith and they 
have five children — Rome, Merril, Ruth, 
May and Fred. Joseph resides in Amanda 
township where he follows farming. He 
wedded Etta W'eimer. Ella is the wife of 
John Sultz, a resident farmer of Fairfield 
county. Annie is the wife of John Camp- 
bell, of Madison township, and they have 
one son, Raymond. Frank is employed on 
the farm of !Mr. Campbell. He married 
Mattie Hamby, who died two years ago. 
Charles resides in Amanda, Ohio, and is 
operating the home farm for his father. He 
married Ella Shaeffer. Chancy resides in 
Amanda township and is employed on the 
railroad. He married Anna Thomas. Harry 
is living at home. Welbv is a minister of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



349 



the United Brethren church, now located in 
Athens county, Ohio. He wedded Miss 
Dixon. Fanny died at the age of nineteen 
years. All of the children were horn in 
Clear Creek township and educated in the 
schools here. The family is one of prom- 
inence in the community, the various mem- 
bers occupying creditable positions and in 
social circles, enjoying high regard by 
reason of their sterling worth. From the 
age of six years down to tlie present time 



Henry Balthaser has made his home in Fair- 
field county and the history of pioneer life 
is therefore familiar to him through actual 
experience, and as the years have passed, as 
a \-alued citizen he has borne his part in the 
work of public progress and improvement. 
His labors too in the business world have 
been effective and have brought to him cred- 
itable success, making him one of the pros- 
perous and well-to-do farmers of Clear 
Creek township. 



CHARLES D. MARTIN. 



When the history of Ohio and her bar 
shall have been written its pages will 
bear few more illustrious names and 
record the career of few men more dis- 
tinguished than Charles D. Martin, for 
although he has not figured to a great 
extent in political life he is widely ac- 
knowledged to be one of the most capable 
lawyers at the Ohio bar. If "Ijiography is 
the home aspect of history," as Wilmott has 
ex]3ressed it. it is entirely within the province 
of true history to commemorate and ])er- 
petuate the lives and characters, the achie\'e- 
ments antl honor of the illustrious sons of 
the nation. The name of Charles D. Martin 
is inseparably associated with the history 
of jurisprudence not only in his district but 
in Ohio as well, and no man has been more 
respected in this locality or more highly de- 
serves tlie honors that have been conferred 

upon him. He has Ijeen designated as the 
a9 



leading member of the Lancaster bar as it- 
stands to-day and is therefore worthy to be 
classed among the eminent lawyers of the 
state. 

Judge Martin is numbered among Ohio's- 
native sons, his liirth having occurred in 
Alount Vernon, on the 5th of August, 1829,. 
his parents being Joseph and Susan; 
(Thomas) Martin, the former of Irish line- 
age and the latter of English descent. In 
colonial days both the Martin and Thomas 
families were established in .\merica, the 
former locating in Pennsylvania and the lat- 
ter in Mar}-land. In 1806 the paternal 
grandfather came to Ohi(.\ locating in Kno.x. 
county and there Josei^li Martin was reared. 
He married Miss Tliomas, whose family 
about the I)eginning of the nineteenth cen- 
tury removed from Kentucky to Delaware 
county. 

In the schools of his native countv Judge 



350 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Martin acquired iiis early education and 
later continued his studies in Kenyon Col- 
lege, (jambier. Wishing to hecome a mem- 
ber of the bar be entered upon the stud\- nf 
la\v in Lancaster under the direction of his 
relative. John D. Martin, a member of the 
firm of Martin ^- Effinger. prominent at- 
torneys of Fairfield county. After twn 
years" study he was admitted to the l)ar in 
1850 and at once began the jjractice of law 
in Lancaster and has followed it continu- 
ously with the exception of two years spent 
upon the supreme bench and as a memljer of 
the supreme court commission. His ad- 
vancement was rajncl. owing to the pre- 
cision, thoroughness and care with which he 
prepared his cases, his strength in argument, 
his ready tact and genial disposition. He 
never sought to enshroud bis cause in the 
sentimental garb of emotional oratory, but 
rather to pre.sent his cause in the strong- 
clear light of fact and reason. He has never 
:Stoo])ed to take a mean advantage and is al- 
ways eminently fair and courteous in his 
treatment of the witnesses and of the conrl. 
It is the theory of the law that the counsel 
who practice are to aid the court in the ad- 
ministration of justice and in this regard 
Judge Martin has been most careful to c;on- 
form bis practice to a high standard of pro- 
fessional ethics. He never seeks to lead the 
court astray in a matter of fact or law. 1 le 
has never endeavored to withhoUl from it a 
knowledge of any fact appearing in the 
record. Calm, dignified, self-controlled. 
free from passion or prejudice, he has given 
to his clients the service of great talents, un- 
wearied industry and rare learning, but he 
never forgets that there are certain things 



due to the court, to his own self-respect and 
to justice and a righteous administration of 
the law, which neither the zeal of an ad\o- 
cate nor the pleasure of success has permit- 
ted him to disregard. 

In the fall of 1858 Judge Martin was 
nominated on the Democratic ticket Ui rq)- 
resent his district in congress and was 
elected, his terni expiring on the 4th of 
March. iSdi. Through the succeeding 
twenty years he devoted his attention unin- 
terruptedly to the practice of law. In 1883 
he was appointed by Governor Charles Fos- 
ter as one of the members of the supreme 
court commission to assist the su])reme 
l)ench in clearing the docket, which was in 
arrears some twelve years. He served for 
two years, when the work they were ap- 
pointed to do was linished. During this 
period Mr. Martin discharged the functions 
of a judge of the supreme court. His ap- 
pointment to this position was a high and 
merited tribute to his ability, coming from a 
Republican go\crnor to one who lias always 
been known as a stanch Democrat. In the 
years 1883 and i88f) be was the candidate 
on the .state ticket for the office of su])reme 
judge. Since bis retirement from office he 
has gi\on his undivided attention to the 
practice of law and has a large and distinc- 
tively representative clientage. 

In 1873 the Judge was united in mar- 
riage to Miss .\nna Mitbot'f. a daughter of 
the late ("■. .\. Mithoff. of Lancaster, and 
they have three living children : M;uy Jane, 
Anna and (jeorge. The family is w idely and 
favorably known in I'airlield county, occu- 
])\iiig an enviable position in socird circles, 
just ;is the Judge does at the bar. I'or more 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



351 



than lialf a century he has been an active cliaracter which impresses itself upon a com- 

practiiioner and Init few lawyers have matle munir_\-. Such has been his force of char- 

a more lasting impression upon tlie bar of acter and natural qualification that he has 

the state, both fur legal aliility of a high steadily advanced and has written his name 

•order and for the in(li\-iduality of a personal \\\)im the ke}-stone of the legal arch. 



WILLIAM T. MCCLENAGHAN. 



William T. McClenaghan. who is filling 
the position of prosecuting atti.amey of 
Fairfield county and resides in Lancaster, 
was born in Richland township, this ccmnty, 
on the 17th of September, 1855. His fa- 
ther, William' McClenaghan, was born in 
Ireland in the year 1835, and when in his 
twelfth year crossed the Atlantic to the 
United States, locating in Lancaster, Penn- 
sylvania, where he resided for thirty-eight 
\ears. He was there married to Aliss JNIary 
\i. Ferguson, of that county, a daughter o\ 
Robert Ferguson, and in 1S54 he came to 
I'airfield county and settled upon the farm 
where he resided the greater part of his 
life. In his business undertakings he pros- 
pered, and his careful direction of farni la- 
bor and his enterprise and management 
brought to him a \er_\- satisfactory degree 
of success. His political support was given 
the Democracy and he took a deep and act- 
ive interest in the success of his l>arty. doing 
all in his power to e.xtend its inlluence and 
pmmote its growth. He served for six 
rears as comity commissioner of Richlan<l 
township and was a leading citizen, strong in 



his honor and good name. His wife, who 
was born in the year 1827, died in 1896. 
In their family were two sons and four 
daughters, naniiely : \\'illiam T. ; Sophia, 
who' married S. D. Stevens, a farmer ; 
Catherine, the wife of R. Swartz, who is in 
the gas and oil business ; Samuel H. ; Hor- 
ace S,, who carries on agricultural pursuits; 
and Charles D., who is a farmer on the old 
homestead in Richland township. 

William T. MtClenaghan, well known 
in civnnection with legal interests, was 
reared upon a farm. The hot summers' 
stms shone down upon man}- a field in' which 
he was plowing ami through the cold win- 
ter months he made his way to the district 
schools in order to accpiire an education 
which wc.uld fit him for life's ])ractical 
duties. Later he had the ad\'antage o^f in- 
structions in the Fairfield Acaxlemy, where 
he prepared for college, and entering the 
University of Michigan at Ann .\rbiir, he 
was graduated in that institution iu' 1880. 
.After his graduation he retui"ned to Laur 
caster anid entered the law office nt' the 
Hon. Charles D. Martin, who directed liis 



352 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



reading until his admission to the bar be- 
fore the supreme court of CoUmibus in 
1888. Since that time he lias been an active 
practitioner in the Lancaster district. 

In 1882 Mr. McClenaghan was united 
in marriage to Miss Lottie Swartz, a daugh- 
ter of tlie Rev. A. and Catherine (Ruby) 
Swartz. Her father was pastor of tlie En- 
ghsh Lutheran church and is a well known 
divine of that denomination. Mr. ami Mrs. 
McClenaghan have one son. William S., 
who is now a student. In public office our 
subject has manifested a loyal de\-otion to 
the general good. He was for six years a 
member of the city council, and in 1895 was 
elected prosecuting attorney of Fairfield 



county for a term of three years, entering 
upon the discharge of his duties in 1896. 
He was afterward re-elected and is now in 
the latter part of his second term.. His 
political support has always been given the 
Democracy and he has taken a very active 
part in county and state politics. He be- 
longs to Philo LcKlge, I. O. O. F., of West 
Rushville, and also to the Knights of Pytli- 
ias fraternity. His nature is kindly, his 
temperament jovial and genial and his man- 
ner courteous. H'e has a thorough and 
comprehensive knowledge of the law and in 
this neither fear nor favor can swerve him 
from the strict and impartial performance 
of his duty. 



THOMAS EWING. 



Thomas Ewing was born in Ohio 
county, near Wheeling, West Virginia, De- 
cember 28, 1789. His father was Captain 
George Ewing, a soldier of the army of the 
Revolution, who at the close of the war 
left his home in New Jersey for the west. 
Owing to trouble with the Indians in the 
Ohio territory he settled temporarily in 
Virginia. In a few years the Indians proved 
peaceful and he ctnitinucd his journey to 
.Ohio and settled on what is now known as 
Federal creek, in Athens county. Young 
Ewing worked uix)n his father's farm until 
nineteen years of age, reading in the mean- 
time such books as were to l>e found in the 
cabins of the settlers and in tiic new librarv 



which they had purchased. Being ambitious 
to obtain an education, he prevailed upon his 
father to i>ermit him to go to the Kanawha 
Salt Works and earn the necessary money. 
He walked through the wotxls to the Ohio 
river and got aboaril a keel boat and worked 
his passage to the salines. Tliis was in the 
year 1809. In December of the same year 
he returned home, went to Athens ami spent 
three months llicrc as a student. In the 
spring of ]8io ho went again to the salt 
works to earn more money. He was suc- 
cessful, returned home anil paid off his 
father's debts. The winter of 1810 and 
181 T he s])cnt at home reading the books of 
the library. In the spring of 181 1 he again 




THOMAS EWING 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



355 



went to the salt wiH'ks, ami after a summer's 
work returned home with six hundred dnl- 
lars in mnney. He immediately entered the 
Ohio University, being twenty-one years of 
age, and continued a student there until tlie 
spriui^" of 1815, when he gradu;ited with 
honor. After liis graduation he again re- 
turned to Kanawha and iu six weeks earned 
one hundred, and fifty dollars. With this 
sum he returned home, and in Julv of the 
same year, 1815, he came to Lancaster and 
commenced the stud}' of law with General 
Beecher. During his college term he taught 
school one term at Gallipolis, Ohio, and the 
Athens county records show that he occa- 
sionally acted as sur\-eyor. Before entering 
General Beecher's office he had read Black- 
stone, and after fourteen months of hard 
study, sixteen hours per day, he was ad- 
mitted to the bar in August, 1816, being 
then past twenty-four years of age. 

His first speech as an attorney was 
made in the court house at Circleville, Ohio. 
In 1S17 he was a]>pointed prosecuting at- 
torney for Athens count}', notwithstanding 
the fact that he lived in Lancaster, forty-five 
miles distant. He served as such for the 
years 1817-18-19 and 20 and again in 1824 
anrl 1825. He was prosecuting attorney for 
the county of Fairfield from the year 1818 
to TS30. Three or four years after being 
admitted to the bar Mr. Ewing married 
Maria, daughter of Hugh Boyle, clerk of 
the court and one ''►f the pioneers of Lan- 
caster. In the year 1S24 he fcjrnied a part- 
nership with his young friend, Henry Stan- 
bery, which continued a few years. They 
:soon became great rivals at the Lancaster 



bar and upon the circuit, but this did not 
disturb or mar the friendship of their early 
years. 

]\Ir. Ewing soon rose to eminence as a 
lawyer and Whig politician. He had the 
honor to deliver the oration at Hebron, 
Ohio, when the first shovelful of earth w'as 
thrown by Governor DeWitt Clinton upon 
the surveyed line of the Ohio cantal. In 
1831 he was elected by the Ohioi legislature 
as senator of the United States and served 
six years. He soon became an influaitial 
member of the senate and a good debater, 
making for himself a national reputation. 
In 1 84 1 he was secretary of the treasury in 
President Harrison's caljinet. In i84(j be 
was secretary of the interior under P'resi- 
dent l~aylor and organized that department. 
L'nfortunately for Mr. Ewing and the coun- 
try, Ijoth presidents died early in their ad- 
ministrations, so that he did not have an/ 
opportunity for the display of bis great 
abilities as a cabinet officer. 

In 1 85 1 Thomas Corwin, then senator 
from Ohio, resigned and GoverncJr Ford ap- 
pointed Mr. Ewing to fill the vacancy. ]\Ir. 
Corwin, when nominated for senator, de- 
feated Mr. Ewang in the caucus by one vote. 
That vote was cast by General Joe Geiger, 
of Circle\'ille. whorn Mr. Ewing had in some 
way offended. Great as Mr. Ewing was as 
a statesman, his great fame will rest upon his 
ability as a lawyer, a lawyer rooted and 
grounded in the fundamental priiiiciples of 
the law. In a purely legal argument he was 
without a rival at the Ohio b.-u". In the 
courts i>i Ohio Henry Stanbery was his 
most formidable competitor. They were (/[)- 



356 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 

posed to eacli otlier on all great cases. In They continued the husiness for twenty 
the great case of the Methodist Episcopal years or more and finally turned it over to 
church, Mr. Ewing represented the north, Colonel Steele, Ewing's son-in-law. After 
Mr. Stanbery the south. As all the world the death of President Harrison. Mr. Ewing 
knows, Mr. Ewing won the case. Good did not remain long in Tyler's cabinet, 
judges pronounced his argimient a \\;onder- Tyler and his cabinet differed radically on 
fill iin.iluction. In the M'artha Washing- the bank- question in particular, and they 
ton case, tried in the United States court at were not long in tendering their resignation. 
Columbus. Stanljery appeared for the prose- Mr. Ewing wrote and published a lengthy 
cution and Ewing for the defense. Mr. letter e.\])lainin_g why he left the cabinet. 
Ew'ing submitted the case without argu- and (juirted conversations with the jiresident 
nient. much to the surprise of Stanbery. who and con\ersations that took ])lace in cabinet 
had a carefully prepared speech, and the meetings, that the public might fully under- 
jury brought in a \erdict for defendants, stand his reasons for this breach of ctMifi- 
During the trying limes of the Rebellion, dence. as his enemies termed it. He was 
when his boys and sciu-in-law \\ere at the roundly a])uscd by all of the leading Demo- 
front, he was in constant communication cratic papers of the country, harsh terms 
with the authorities at Washington. His and abusive language filling their columns, 
advice was often .sought by the administra- Mr. I£win-g was not injured in Ohio: he was 
tion and freely gis'en. It was mainly (as his tendered public dinners by the enthusiastic 
friends claim) iipi n bis advice that Mason Whigs of Columbus and Zanes\ille. I'^nun 
and .Slidell were surrendered and a war with iS_|i to iSfio .Mr. lowing was engaged in 
luigland averted. He left a sick-bed and his profession in large and important suits, 
made his way to Washington to advise with both in the courts of Ohio and of the United 
President Lincoln on this occasion. He States. The Stoddard case, a case involv- 
lived to see peace and a reunited country, ing S|)anisli land titles, he tried in St. Louis 
Mr. Ewing was a man of splendid form, and was successful. He spent four months 
strong and active, and many good stories or more in ac(|uiring the Spanish language, 
are told of his strength and agility. He that he might more fully understand and 
could jump higher than any young man he prosecute his case. Much of his time in 
ever met. and but few , if any, could throw jireparation was spent in Cincinn.iti. While 
him down. I le is credited w il!i once taking there he made the aci|uainlance of an intelli- 
an a.x by the handle and throwing it over gent photographic artist, in whose office he 
the court house steeple. was accustomed to unbend himself when 
.After Mr. Ewing became established as tired of his work. This artist states that 
a lawver. he. in company with lion. .Samuel in con\ersati<in with Mr. lowing he was 
I'". V intern, purchased an<l operated the surprised to learn that he knew more about 
Chauncev Salt Works, in .\thens county, the ]ihoti.)grapliic an th;m he knew himself. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



357 



This is not surprising to tliose wlio knew 
Air. Ewing, for lie was a ripe scholar, well 
read and at home upon any subject that he 
might be called upon to discuss. 

He had assisted his father to make a 
new hiome in Indiana, where the old gentle- 
man died January 14, 1824. This home 
was on the Ohio river, near Cannelton, and 
at the time id" which we write was occupied 
bv Mr. Ewing's aged brother (jeorge. 
While at St. Louis trying the Stodtlard case 
he Udtitied his Ijrnther that on a certain day 
on his \\a}' home his boat would pass Can- 
nelton but would not stop. The boat reached 
the point in due time and the aged' Ijrother 
was in his chair on the river bank sur- 
rounded by his family. As the boat drew 
near Mr. Ewing stood at the railing, sur- 
rounded by the deeply interested passengers: 
he greeted his brother and the salutation 
was returned. As the boat passed up stream 
the i)ld man art.ise, trembling with age and 
([ui\ering with emotion', and bowed a fare- 
well fur the last time, never again tii meet 
or see his brother this side of the gates of 
the spirit world. 

Mr. Ewing died October 26, 187 1, at 
his home in Lancaster. His funeral was 
largely attended. On his deathbed he said 
to a friend, "I lia\-e lived a long, useful and 
e\entful life and 1 am ready to go." The 
honorarx- |)allbearers were: Governor R. B. 
Hayes: Sen,at(ir John Sherman; Senator 
Allen (r. Thurman : Judge Welsh, of the 
supreme ccurt : M. .\. Daugherty, Jnhn ]). 
Martin, Charles llnrland, Sanniel Herr, Dr. 
T. O. I'^dward.si, Darius Tallmadge, George 
G. Beck, Charles M. [,. Wiseman, |. F. Van- 



demark, H(. eking H. Hunter, J<_ihn T. 
Brasee, Hon. Henry Stanbery, James R. 
Pearse, Samuel A. (jriswold, Jacob Beck 
and Frederick A. Foster, of Lancaster; 
John H. James, of Urbana : A. B. Walker, 
of Athens; W. ^Marshall Anderson, of 
Circle\ille : Charles B. Goildard, of Zanes- 
\-ille; George Reber, of Sandusky: and 
Henry B. Curtis, (jf Mt. Vernon. 

Ab'out the _\ear 181 8 the southern part 
of Fairfield county was infested with a 
gang of thieves and counterfeiters, who for 
months or years had evaded or escaped 
from the officers of the law and defied ar- 
rest. Thomas Ewing, who was prosecuting 
attorney, became tired of this and requested 
to be sworn in as special constable, which 
was accoTclingly done. He selected a half- 
dozen choice spirits, wdio, like himself, were 
large, strong and active men, of known 
courage and discretion — Nathaniel Reed, 
Christian Neibling, Adam Wea\er, Chris- 
tian King, David Reese and Elnathan Sco- 
field. They proceeded to the rendez\-ous, 
surrounded the house and captured the 
gang, binfling the leader, who was in charge 
of Mr. Ewing. Scofield was about to be 
overpowered, when Ewimg went to his re- 
lief. The leader seized this moment for 
esca])e. and though liis hands were bound, 
jumped out out of a second story window 
and made his e.scape in the darkness. The 
others were tried, convicted and sent to 
prison. 

During the years Mr. Ewing was prose- 
cutor and for many vears ])re\'ious there 
were numer<]iis distilleries in the county, and 
merchants e\erywhere sold or ga\'e liquor 



358 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



away to tlieir customers and wliiskey was a Conestoga wagon and carried produce to 
universal beverage. Along in the '20s Baltimore and l)rought out goods for Lan- 
the sale of it was regulated somewhat by caster merchants. It is highly prolrable that 
statute. The records show that Mr. Ewing, he carried small quantities of goixls of his 
as prosecutor, procured indictments against own or for his own use and retailed to his 
Latta, Connell and Ainswortii. Oiristian friends. His case was contimied for one or 
King and Henry Arnold tor selling whiskey two terms and he finally gave Hugh Boyle, 
in quantities less tlian than one quart. They clerk of the court, a power of attorney to 
were tried and fined five dollars and costs plead guilty for him. This very un- 
each. John Reber and John G. \\'illock usual proceeding was accq>ted by the 
were witnesses in two of the cases, being court. Smetters was, no dotibt. absent 
clerks in the stores. from In me during the sessions of the 
George Smetters (Smothers) was in- court, which was the cause of his un- 
dicted for selling three pounds of pq)per at usual manner of ])leading. Tliis indict- 
retail to Henry B. Joy, of the value of one meiit was brought Octol)er i. 1821, and 
hundred an<l six dollars. "Merchandise not finally dis]70sed of in October, 1S22. Judge 
the growth and manufacture of the United John .\. McDowell, presiding. The fore- 
States, contrary to the form of the statutes man of the grand jury was Samuel F. Mc- 
in such cases made and provided." T. Ew- Cracken. The witnesses were George Burk- 
ing, prosecuting attorney. Smetters pleaded ley. Ciiristian Rokohl and Henry B. Joy. 
guilty and was fined ten dollars and costs of The fact is. Smetters had no attorney and 
prosecution. George Smetters was the he empowered Boyle to plead for bin: and 
<^>wner of a large farm near town, but not a submit the matter to the judgment of the 
merchant. He drove a six-horse team to a court. 



JOSEPH S. TURNER. 



Josepli S. Turner, who is now li\ing a 
retired life in Bremen after many years' 
■connection with agricultural and industrial 
interests in Fairfield county, was horn in 
Rush Creek t<jwnship. this c.unty. April 21. 
1839, on the old family homestead of his 
maternal grandfather. Abraham Berry. He 



is a son of Jcjiui and Rebecca (Berry) Tur- 
ner. The father was born in the state of 
\ew York, wiience he removed with iiis 
parents to Virginia, and thence came to 
Fairfield county. Ohio. Here he made a 
permanent .settlement in 1834. He took an 
active part in promoting the agricultural in- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



359 



terests of this part (if the state and was a 
progressive, enterprising man. He mar- 
ried Rebecca Berry, a daughter of Abra- 
ham Berry, who was born in Rockingham 
county. Virginia, and in 1808 came to Fair- 
field ounty, settHng in Rush Creek town- 
sliip. He was a man of considerable means 
and as land was cheap he purchased a large 
tract and became one of the prosperous and 
influential citizens of his adopted county. 
He married Catherine Fast, and they be- 
came the parents of twel\-e children, nine 
daughters and three sons. The marriage 
of John and Rebecca (Berry) Tiu'ner was 
blessed with fi\-e children ; Jacob B.. a 
prominent merchant and miller of Bremen: 
Emanuel C. ; Joseph S. ; Abiram B. and 
Peter F. 

Jo'Sei)h S. Turner jiursued his educa- 
tion in the old Rock schoolhouse. contin- 
uing liis studies through the winter months 
until fiinrteen years of age. when he began 
learning the carpenter's trade under the 
directif n of Ephraim Root. For twenty-one 
years he folloiwed that pursuit and was 
closely associated with the building iiuer- 
ests of his part of the county, but his busi- 
ness career was interrupted Ijy military serv- 
ice at the time o-f the Civil war. In 1864 
be enlisted in Company A. Seventeenth 
Ohio X'olunteer Infantry, under the com- 
mand of Captain Butterfield and Colonel B. 
\\ ard. The regiment was assigned to the 
Anny o{ the Cumberland and he too-k part 
in the siege and fall of Atlanta. He alsi) 
partici])ated in the battles of Mission Ridge, 
Buzzard's Roost. Dalton. Resaca. Hickurv 
Ridge. Peach Tree Creek. Kenesaw Moun- 



tain and others, and after the fall c.f At- 
lanta the regiment was ordered to join 
Sherman's anny, participating in the 
memorable march to the sea, the campaign 
through the Carolinas and the march to 
W'ashingtiin. where Mr. Turner partici- 
pated in the grand review, the most cele- 
brated military pageant ever seen on the 
western hemisphere. With the regiment he 
was then ordered to Lexington. Kentucky, 
where he was mustered out and sent home. 

The country no longer needing his serv- 
ices, Mr. Turner resumed work at the car- 
penter's trade and for se\-eral years was a 
leading representative of building interests 
in this part of the county. He erected a 
number of the dwellings in and near Bre- 
men, also churches , barns and business 
buildings. Farming interests also claimed 
his attention and he owned and operated a 
valuable tract oi laml, which he placed un- 
der a high .state of cultivation. He con- 
tinued farming until 1881, when he put 
aside business cares and remo\-ed to Bre- 
men, where he has since li\-ed retired, en- 
joying a rest which he has truly earned and 
ricbl)- deserves. 

In 1859 Mr. Turner was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Mary Ann Fox, who was 
born near Pleasantville. Ohio, Februarv 28. 
1839. She was a daughter of Abram and 
Jane (Sampson) Fox. By her marriage 
she has become the mother O'f seven' chil- 
dren : Rebecca J., now deceased; Ella J., 
the wife Oif A. C. McCandless; Mary E., 
the wife of Thomas R. Thompson; Lulu 
-Mice, who niarried Harry Click and resides 
at Millersport; Harvey Af.. a farmer; 



36o 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Gertrude, tlie wife of Charles Bauman, a 
merchant of Lancaster; and Giarles Forest, 
who is a fireman <in tlie railroad. 

Mr. Turner is a member of John Rose 
Post. G. A. R.. and thus maintains pleas- 
ant relations with his old army comrades. 
His life has been a useful and active one 



and his history proves conclusively that suc- 
cess is not the result of genius but the out- 
growth of practical judgment. ex|ieriaice, 
diligence and perseverance. It was through 
the jiossessioii of those qualities tiiat he ac- 
quired the competence that now enables 
liim to live retired. 



DANIEL G. BOYER. 



I'pon the family homestead in Bloom 
townsiii]). where he yet resides. Daniel G. 
Boyer was born May 8, 1868. He traces 
his ancestry back to Qxlfrey Boyer, who 
was lx)rn, reared and died in Pennsylvania. 
Daniel I'.oyer. the gramlfather of our sub- 
ject, was a nati\e of Greenfield township, 
this county, having lieen lx>ni on the torder 
line of Bloom township. .\t one time he 
owned over one thousan<l acres of land in 
Fairfielil and Henry comities. Ohio, and in 
Wells county. Indiana. As his financial re- 
sources increased he made judicious invest- 
ments in real estate and thus became an 
e.\tensive land hdder. Marquis Boyer, the 
father, of our subject, was born in Bloom 
township. I""airHeld county, and became the 
Owner of one of the best farms in his ])or- 
tion of the state. He was a most progress- 
ive and enter))rising man. diligent and per- 
sistent in all that he undertook, and was 
highly respected as a leading and influential 
man. In his religious belief he was a Lu- 
theran and for many years held membership 
in a church of that denomination. He mar- 



ried Sarah Dowdall. also a native of Blooin 
township, and they became the parents of 
tin'ee children: Daniel G.. of this review; 
Jane, the widow i>f John Benson; and 
Mary, the deceased wife of Ezra Court- 
right. The father died March 7. 1886. at 
the age of forty-nine years and six months. 
His widow 'Still survives him arwl is yet 
living on the old family homestead. She 
is a daughter of George Dowdall, a native 
of Maryland, who became one of the pioneer 
settlers of Bloom townshi]). By his wife. 
\ancy. he had seven children, namely : 
MiclKiel: Mary, the wife of Isaac Eberley ; 
Margaret, the wife of Josqih Price: Haiv 
nab. the wife of Henry Jeffries: Catherine, 
the wife f>f Hamilton Howard; Mrs. Sarah 
Boyer: and Joseph, who is living in Colun^- 
bus. 

In taking uj) the ]iersonal history oi 
Daniel G. Boyer. we present to our readers 
the life record rf one who is widely and 
favorably known in this county. He ac- 
(piired his education in the common schools 
and in the Franklin Countv Normal School. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 36 ^ 

When twenty-une years of age lie began Bloom township, in wiiose family tliere 

teaching and for tweh'e years fo'llowed that were five children. Mrs. Boyer l>eing the 

profession in Bloom and Violet townships eldest. The others are Inez L. ; U. S.. ant 

through the winter months. In; the summer attorney ; Bertha, deceased ; and James Her- 

he carried on the work of the home farm. bert. who is also practicing law. Two chil- 

He taught for several consecutive years in dren have graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. 

the Waterloo- and \'iolet township schools Boyer — Russell Grant, who died in 1894, at 

as principal and gained a wide reputation as tlie age of two and a lialf years: and ]\Iary 

a most capable educator and disciplinarian. Marguerite, born in October. 1S93. The 

He had the ability to impart clearly and parents hold membership in Zinn church in 

CI iicisely to others the knowledge wliich he Bl(x>m township and are well kmnvn in the 

had acquired and his labors as a teacher count}" in which their entire lives ha\e been 

ga\e excellent satisfaction. passed. The ho,spitality of many of the best 

In May, 1891, Mr. Boyer was united in homes in Bloom township is extended to 

marriage to Inez Brandt, a daughter of them and they enjoy the warm regard of 

Jesse H. and Amanda (Weist) Brandt, o-f many friends. 



JOHN R. MUMAUGH. 

It is an important public duty to honor from the minds of men the less perishable 

and perpetuate as far as is possible the record may tell the story of his life and com- 

memory of an eminent citizen — one who by mend his example for imitation. No man 

his lilameless and honorable life and distin- was e\-er more respected i«n Lancaster or 

guished career reflected credit upon the city e\'er more fully enjoyed the confidence of 

in which he so- long made his home, the people than John R. Mumaugh, whose 

Tbrougli such memorials as this at hand the honorable and straightforward business 

indi\idual and the character of his services career was crowned with a higli and well 

are kept in remembrance and the im])iirtance merited degree of success and who in other 

I if those services acknowledged. His ex- walks of life contrilnited largely t^ the up- 

amjjle in whatever field his work may have building and improvement of the city. 
Ijeen done thus stands as an oliject lesson Mr. Mumaugh was horn in Fairfield 

to those who come after him, and though canity, near the city of Lancaster, on the 

dead he still s])eaks. Lung after all recol- J'ltli < if January, 1S18. Xo event of special 

lecti<;n of his personality shall have faded iiriixirtance occurred to var\- the routine f>f 



362 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his early lite, which was largely devoted to 
the acquirement of an education, Init after 
puttinof aside his text-books he entered the 
electrical world of business and thereafter 
was an active factor in commercial and 
financial circles of Lancaster. In 1S39 lie 
took up liis abode in this city, opened an 
■office and engaged in general tookkeeping 
and established a collection agency, (iradu- 
ally he extended the -field of his lalmrs 
imlil it embraced the banking and real- 
estate business. He handled much valuable 
property and his banking operations were 
also extensive. He .sustained an unas.sail- 
able reputation in business circles, where liis 
word was considered as good as auA- bund 
that wa'^ e\er snlenuiized b_\- signature or 
seal. He was e\'er faithful t<> a business 
obligation and conscientinus in the per- 
formance of every financial trust. 

]\lr. Mumaugh was united in marriage 
by the Rev. Jolui Wagenhals to Miss 
Ho.sannah Schaeffer. the eldest daughter of 
Frederick and Julia Anu Schaeffer and 
granddaughter of .\ljraham P.loom. for 
Avliom the beautiful little city of Blooms^ 
Ijury. New Jersey, was named. He also 
fought in the Ke\olutionary war with 
General \\'asliingt<)n from the time the hos- 
tilities 1)egan until Great Britain withdrew 
her tn^ops an<l acknowledged the inde- 
pendence of tlie republic. Unto Mr. and 
Mrs. Mumaugii were torn six children, of 
^vhom two died in infancy, while Ciiarles 
Frederick, the eldest son. who wa.s a resi- 
dent of Lanca.ster, died in iS<)7. Tlidse still 
living are John S.. who resides in Cali- 
fornia ; .'ind Sallic and Fannie, who arc liv- 



ing in the nld bouie in this city. They also 
reared a niece of !Mrs. Mumaugh. Julia 
Bannun. who for seventeen years was a 
member of the household. She is now 
Mrs. Vernon, of Camden, Xew Jersey. 

Mr. Mumaugh was a prominent and 
valued member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, belonging to Charity Lodge 
and Hock Hocking Encampment of this citv. 
He was also an exemplary rei)resentative of 
the Masonic fraternity, in which be had 
taken all the degrees of the \'ork rite, and 
his funeral services were conducted by Lan- 
caster Commandery. Xo. 2, Knights Tem- 
plar. For thirty years he was a consistent 
and failhful member of the St. John's 
Episcopal church and for a (piarter of a cen- 
tury lie served the congregation as junior 
and senior warden, holding the latter office 
at the time of his death, which occurred on 
the 3th of February. 1888. The many beau- 
tiful floral tributes and the large concourse 
of i)eople who attended the funeral showed 
blow widely he was known and honored in 
Lancaster, where he was so well known, 
and where an upright life and strong sym- 
pathy h;id endeared him to all with wlmm 
he came in contact. He was a devoted hus- 
l)an<I and kind and indulgent father, a con- 
siderate neighbor and a consistent follower 
of the Master, and when he closed his eyes 
in death it was with the firm belief in a 
glorioiis awakening into everlasting life. 

Mrs. Mumaugh survived her husband 
for a numl)er of years, eirdearing herself 
to all as the days ])assed. She passed away 
on Cluistmas e\ e of 1901. In speaking of 
her death a li cal ])a])er said: "For the i)ast 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



563. 



half century ^Irs. ^lumaugh lias resided in 
the, handsome old colonial hoiise in which 
she died, and no one will be niore sadly 
missed than this beautiful, noble and hos- 
pitable Christian woman. She was full of 
dignity and grace and the doors of her 
channing home were always open to receive 
and entertain her host oi friends ; and it 
can be truthfully said that no home within 
the city of Lancaster has for the past fift}- 
years entertained more people of note and 
distinction, both old and young, than the 



Mumaugh home. Mrs. ]Mumaugh was 

especially fond of young people and their 
society, and they seemed to: flock toward, 
her. Her many acts of charity were with- 
out number, but whenever she g-ave and. 
^\-ha;te\-er she did for the good and comfort. 
oif others she ne\'er spoke Oif, and many 
oif the poor and needy will doubly miss her. 
Her nol>le life, her womanly graces of char- 
acter, her strong sympathy have made her 
memory a blessed benediction to all who,- 
knew her." 



ISAAC CLAYPOOL. 



I 



Isaac ClaypoO'l, deceased, pas'sed his en^ 
tire life in the house where he first opened 
his eyes to the light of day, 011 the 29th of 
June, 1 82 1. Throughout the intervening 
period he not only watched with interest 
the progress of events which have made the 
county's history^ but bore his part in the 
work of improivanent and advancement, 
and well does he deserve mention as one 
of the honored citizens of the community. 
He represented one of the oklest families 
of the county and traced his ancestry back 
to James Claypool, who was bom Februar}' 
16, 1701, and died October 9, 1789. His 
wife, Jane Claypool, passed away June 2, 
175S. They resided near Moorefield, 
Hardy county, \\'est Virginia. 

Their son, James Claypool, Jr., the 
grandfather of our subject, was born De- 



cember I, 1730, and died August 11, 181 f.. 
He was married October 31, 1753, to Mar- 
garet Dunbar, who was born No\' ember 20, 
1736, and died March 26, 1813. She was 
a daughter of John Dunbar, Unto James 
and ]\Iargaret (Dunbar) Claypool were- 
born the following children: Margaret. 
Ann, who was born February 9, 1754, and 
married David Thomas; Hannah, who was 
born November 6, 1756, and became Mrs, 
Evans; Jane, who was born January 31, 
1758, and married Al.)rain Peppers, who re- 
moved with his family to Ross county, Ohio;. 
Abraham, who was born April 2, 1762, 
and married Ann Wilson, locating in Ross 
county; Esther, who was born August 28, 
1764, and became the wife <>f Jeremiah 
Jacobs, their home being in Rloomfield, 
Nelson' countv, Kentucky; Ruth, who was. 



364 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



born Julv Ji. 1766. and married Rol>ert 
Dentrii. ut Covington. Fountain county, 
Indiana: Isaac, who was born Fel)ruary 7. 
1769. and married Miss Macker. locating 
in Ross ciiunty; Rachel, bom January 9. 
1771. the wife of John Woollard. of Lick- 
ing county; Rhoda, lx)rn March 25. 1773; 
Jacob, who was burn Marcli 17. 1775- and 
became the father of our subject: Elizabeth, 
born March 19. 177^: and Kersey, born 
July 7. 1780. the wife of Isaac Blizzard, of 
Licking ci unty. 

Tacol) Claypool, the father, was united 
in luarriage to Margaret Baker, of Harri- 
sonburg. Rockingham county, \'irginia. 
March 5. I79<;. She was a daughter of 
Michael Baker of that place and died near 
Lancaster. Ohio. June 22. 1828. while 
Jacob Claypoi>l died October 27. 1843. 
Their children were nine in number. Em- 
ma. Ijorn April 2. 1800. was married Octo- 
ber 19, 1820. to Josc]>h Gnibb, and died 
Mav 20. 1832. Eli-cal)eth. born August 17, 
1801. was married March 12. 1822, to Ste- 
l)hen ^'ale. of Somerset, and died Septem- 
l)er 10. 1823. Mary Ixirn January 12. 1803. 
died .August 13. 1823. James, born Xovem- 
ber 14. 1804. died May 17. 1824. Albert, 
born Deceml)er 5. 1806. was married March 
23. 1826. to Phebe H<H)ker. a daughter of 
Richard Hooker, and after her death 
wedded Rebecca Mounts. He died near 
Morrow. Ohio. Xo\eml>er 2, 1872. Wesley. 
lx>rn February 15. t8io. died June 2-,. 
1877. He was married Xoveml)er 9. 1830, 
to Katlierine McXeil. who died February 
22. 1879. at Cliillicothe. Ohio. Felix. Ixirn 
Marcli 8, 181 2, died September i. 1826. 



Jacob, bom February 23. 1816. died May 
26. 1835. in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania. 
Isaac, the youngest of the family, is the 
subject of this review. 

It was in the year 1808 that the parents 
removed from Virginia to Fairtield C( unt\ . 
Ohio, heating in the midst of the forest, 
where the father built a log cabin and then 
began to clear and cultivate the land. He 
paid eight dollars per acre for one-half of 
his land and for the other half he gave less 
than that amount. .\s acre after acre was 
cleared he placed it under the i>low and in 
course (if time abundant harvests rewarded 
his labors, but in the early days the family 
endured all of the hardships and trials of 
life on the frontier. This farm was not 
sold at the time (if the government land 
sales hut was a part of the Indian reserva- 
tion occujiied by the Wyandotte tril)e and 
known as 'N'ankeetown. James Bnxiks. Mr. 
Crofik and Drake Taylor squatted on this 
land in the year 1799 and it was jjurchased 
by Jacob Cla\ixx)l in 1805. Alxnit three 
years later he kxated thereon and built the 
house in which his son Isaac continued to 
live throughout his life. He educated him- 
self in land surveying and in this as well 
as in all other transactions of life he ])roved 
to be a man of more than (M-dinary ability. 
His wAq books show that he surveyed land 
in all parts of the state. He was three times 
elected to the state legislature, first in 1816, 
again in 1818. and a third time in 1822. but 
.still higher honors awaited him. for in 
i(S24 he was chosen to represent his dis- 
rict in the state senate, filling that ix)sition 
with credit to himself and .satisfaction to his 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



365 



cnnstituents. Throughout his Inisiness ca- 
reer he followed droxing and as late as 1840 
driA-e stock to all the principal eastern mar- 
kets. He was not only an eilucated man. 
hut was thorough and correct in, all business 
transactions. In i8j6 the Barret woolen 
nn'lls. of Fairfield county, were destroyed 
by fire and as the owner was not able to re- 
build, Jacob Claypool, John Creed and Sani- 
uel F. ]MacCracken were comnrissiDned bv 
the state legislature to organize a lottery 
company, the earnings of which were to be 
used in rebuilding the mill. Mr. Claypool 
was I iften called upon to settle estates, be- 
ing well qualified for this by reason of his 
known business ability and his inflexible 
honesty. 

Isaac Claypool. the youngest nieiuher of 
the family, was reared amid the wild scenes 
of pi(.neer life, and began his education in the 
i)ld-time log school house so common at an 
early day. He afterward attended the acad- 
emy in Greenfield township and he remained 
at home until t\\enty-twr) \ears O'f age. 
when, on the 17th of August, 1843. he mar- 
ried Nancy Afason, who had been his school- 
mate in childhood days. She was a daugh- 
ter of John and Ann' Alason, and was born 
January 22. 1821, her death mccurring Oc- 
toher 16, 1855. On the ]8th (if March, 
1858, Mr. ClayiJool was again married, his 
second union being with Sarah A. Pierce, 
who was born in Dover. New Hampshire, 
November 15, 1836, and flied March 18, 
1893. On the 1st of August. 1895, Mr. 
Claypool married Anna E. Cosgrove, who 
was Ixjrn April 9, 1843, i" Miifflin county, 
Pennsylvania, and died M^arch 23, 1898, 



By the marriage of Isaac and Nancy 
Claypool were boru the following named: 
Jacob is represented on another page of this 
work: Anna I\Iary was born July 15, 1844; 
Emma Eliza was biurn No\ember 20, 1848. 
and was married June 7, 1877, to David 
B'uffner and after his death was married 
September 10, 1889, to Alexander Mc- 
Ci.wan: James is also mentioned on another 
page of this work; Nancy Jane, born Au- 
gust 2^. 1853, was married September 3, 
1874, to Smiley Caldwell, and died Septem- 
ber 12, 1888. Their children were Jacob 
Maurice, horn March 29, 1876: Iiarl Clay- 
pool, born December 19, 1877: Fanny 
Beatrice, who was born September 21, 
1879, and died February 25, 1889; and 
Anna Lucile, bcrn January 8, 1886. By 
the second marriag-e of Isaac Claypool there 
were four children : b'rank Pierce, born 
April 16, 1859, was married October i, 
1883, to 1-izzie Prindie. by whom he has 
one son, Isaac, born August 14, 1889. Jobn 
Reber. the second memlier of the familv, 
was born March 11, i8()i, and was married 
March i, 1884, toi Retta Carnes, their chil- 
dren being Ralph Elliridge, boirn August 
7, 1885: and Sarah Abbie. bom January 
2, 1888. Ada Maud and Ida Pierce, twin 
daughters i.if Isaac and Sarah Clavpool, , 
were born April 13, 1863. The latter was 
married October 10, 1888, to William E. 
Shell, and died September 10. 1894. Ada 
Maud was married Sejitemiber 14, 1892, to 
Albert F. Crayton, and they ha\-e one child, 
Abigail, born May 31, 1896. 

Inmiediately after his first marriage 
Isaac Clay]xx)l, Sr., located on the old home 



366 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



farm, and at the time of his death he and 
James W. Wilson were the oldest residents 
of the township. He always carried on 
farming and stock-raising, and was the 
only man that ever took a drove of cattle 
from this county to Boston, Massachusetts. 
He was a young man when he made that 
trip. For many years he continued to en- 
gage in stock-dealing and at one time he 
was the owner nf twelve hundred acres of 
land, all in Greenfield township. At the 
time of his death he still owned nine hun- 
dren acres, having given the other three 
hundred acres to his children. For some 
time he lived retired, his son John R. tran- 
sacting his business affairs. In politics he 
was first a ^\'hig and on the dissolution 'of 
the party he became a Republicaui, voting 
for Lincoln and ilcKinley and all the inter- 
vening presidents of that i)arty. He was ap- 



pointed by Governor Ford as a member of 
the committee to purchase the Home Fann 
of Ohio, and while he was never a poli- 
tician in the sense of office seeking, he ex- 
erted considerable influence in political and 
public afifairs. He was largely instrumental 
in securing the right of way for the Cin- 
cinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad 
through the county, giving the right of way 
on his own land and helping to secure it 
from others. He was long a faithful mem^ 
her of the Presbyterian church an<l his life 
was in harmony with its teachings. Hon- 
orable and upright, true to his friends, re- 
liable in business and loyal in citizenship, 
from pioneer times to the time of his death 
Isaac Cla}-i)ool was an honored resident of 
Fairfield county, where he always main- 
tained his home and where he was a rev- 
ered ])atriarch of the commimity. 



FRANK P. STRAYER, M. D. 



In taking up the personal history of Dr. 
Frank P. Strayer we present to our readers 
the life record of one who is widely known 
in Fairfield county. Here he has spent his 
entire life and has become known not only 
as a successful physician and surgeon of 
Bremen but also as a gentleman of e.xten.sive 
and ini])oriant business interests, lielonging 
to that class of representative Americans 
who while promoting their individual suc- 
cess* also advance the general prosperity. 



The Doctor was liorn in, the \illage of 
Sugar (irove, Fairfield county, October ^3, 
1855. His father, Jacob Strayer, was a na- 
tive of Maryland, born in 1818, and with 
his parents, Nicholas and Eva (Everhart) 
Strayer, came to Fairfield county. The year 
1828 witnessed their arrival and the family 
settled in Heme tovvnslii]) near what is now 
Berne Station, where the grandfather and 
grandmother spent their remaining days, 
lacob Straver, the Doctor's father, was 




F. P. STRAYER, M. D. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



369 



reared to nranhCTxl on tlie old family lionie- 
stead and afterward married Sarali E. Bran- 
don, of Berne township, a dano^hter of Will- 
iam and Nancy ( B-arr) Brandon. Her iiar- 
ents were natives of Virginia, havin"' been 
born in Rockingham county in the Old 
Dominion, whence they ennigrated westward 
to Fairfiekl county, Ohio. The natal day of 
Mrs. Strayer was October 20, 1825. Her 
girlhood days were spent under the parental 
roof in Fairfield county and wdien she at- 
tained womanhood she gave her hand in 
marriage to Jacob Strayer. They l:>egan 
their domestic life iii the village of Sugar 
Grove, where for a number of years he en- 
gaged in general merchandising, but at 
length he disposed of his stock of goods and 
remo\^ed to the farm owned by his father, 
Nicholas Straver. There he eng'aged in 
agricultural i^ursuits until his death, which 
occurred Noivember 29, 1884. His wife 
passed away in July, 1900. In their family 
were eight children, six of whom reached 
years of maturity. twO' ha\'ing died in in- 
fancy. The living are: William J., a 
farmer; Eliza J., the widow of Noah Seifert : 
P. \V. : Flora A., the wife of S. W. Lehman, 
of Bremen; Qiarles B., a resident farmer of 
Illinois ; Ella, who is married antl resides in 
the state of Washington. 

Doctor Strayer, whose name introduces 
this record, pursued his education in the com- 
mon schools. He afterward went to Worth- 
ington, where he continued his studies fur 
some time, and after preparing for college 
he entered the Ohio< Wesleyan University at 
Delaware, where he attended for several 
terms. At intervals he engaged in teaching 
20 



school and he began preparatirm for the 
practice t)f medicine as a student in the office 
of Dr. E. A. Framton, of Bremen. Loiter he 
matriculated in the Columbus Medical Col- 
lege, which was afterward merged in the 
Starling Medical College, and in that insti- 
tution he was graduated in the class oi 1879. 
After his graduation: he located in Bremen, 
w here he (opened an office and has since been 
actively engaged in [wactice, his success in- 
creasing as the years have gone by. He has 
good ability l>oth as a physician and surgeon 
and the desirable results which have attended 
his efforts have won public confidence in his 
skill. In connection with his practice he is 
engaged in the manufacture of many kinds 
of handles, operates a planing mill and a 
sawmill and is manufacturing hard lumber. 
His industrial interests are proving ])r(ifit- 
aljle and bring to him a good return (.m his 
investments. 

]""or several years he was a member of 
the city council and his efforts were eft'ectixe 
and far reaching in promoting measures of 
general good. He was instrumental in pro- 
viding Bremen with paved walks, built of 
brick of a superior quality. In furthering 
this cause the Doctor used his own time and 
a considerable amount of capital. He met 
with stubborn opposition from manv of the 
taxpayers, but succeeded in securing the 
paving and now receives praise from those 
who were among the strongest opponents. 
He has always been a stanch ad\-ocate of 
good roads, and thrdugh his zeal and activity 
Bremen has fine gravel roads leading out 
into the country for miles each way. He is 
regarded as one of the most public-spiritecF 



570 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



men in this portion of the county, and cer- welfare is always sure to receive his co- 

tainly his efforts have been of material operation and support and well de>es he de- 

l^enetit to the community. Any movement serve mention annmg the representative antl 

wiiich he believes will promote the general honored men of Bremen. 



CHARLES W. OUTCALT. 



In no profession within tlie last half 
century has tiiere been as rapid develop- 
ment and progress as in the profession of 
dentistry. Rapid strides have been made 
toward i)erfection and with the most ad- 
\anced thought and methods of the day Dr. 
Charles W'illoughby Outcalt has kept in 
touch in the conduct of his office in Lan- 
caster, where a large and constantly increas- 
ing patronage is accordetl him. 

A native of Lancaster, he was born in 
1804. where he grew to manhood, acquir- 
ing his literary education in the public 
sch(X>ls. He is a son of Jesse and Cather- 
ine (Davis) Outcalt, also natives of this 
county. On putting aside his text books, 
fnin which he had acquired his literan- edu- 
cation, the Doctor began preparing for the 
profession of dentistry, becoming a student 
in the office of Dr. Palmiter, of Lancaster, 
luider whose direction he not diiIv obtained 
thet retical knowledge but also much prac- 
tical e.\]>erience. In 1887 he matriculated 
in the dental department of the University 
of F'ennsylvania and in that institution was 
graduated. Immediately afterward he re- 
turned to I^ncaster. and his success here 
sets at naught the old adage that a projihet 



is never without honor save in his own 
country, for in the city in which his entire 
life has l>een passed Dr. Outcalt has built 
up a large business. He is thoroughly con- 
versant with and in touch with the most im- 
proved metho<Is of workmanship, has all 
the most improvetl instnmients and appli- 
ances for advancing his efficieiKy in ])rac- 
tice and the excellent character of his work 
has enabled him to enjoy a i)ractice that is 
constantly growing in nun>bers. 

In 1S95 Dr. Outcalt was united in mar- 
riage to ^liss Adelaide Cmisega, of Lan- 
caster, and their circle of friends here is 
very extensive, while their own home is 
noted for a gracious and pleasing hospital- 
ity. Tiie l)(<-tor is a conii^aratively young 
man. ])ossesscd of untiring energy an<l laud- 
able ambitii n and already is .so widely 
known as a prominent and representative 
member of the dental fraternity that he is 
a valued contributor to many journals and 
dental magazines. His observations and 
ex|)eriments have broadened his kn<nvle<lge 
concerning the profession and its wxwk, and 
his original research is of acknowledged 
benefit to the dental fraternity throughout 
the world. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



371 



HENRY CLAY DRINKLE. 



Actively engaged in the practice of law 
-and winning high encamiums for his faith- 
ful discharge of official duty, Henry Clay 
Drinkle is numbered among the leading and 
enterprising citizens of Lancaster. His 
birth occurred here February 28, 1845, ^"'^ 
he is tlie only son of Peter G. and Nancy 
(Miller) Drinkle. Peter Drinkle. the pa- 
ternal grandfather of our subject, was of 
German descent. The father, who was born 
in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1810, 
was a tanner by trade and on emigrating 
westward took up his alxxle in Fairfield, 
Ohio, in 1842. Not long afterward he lo- 
■cated in Lancaster, where he established a 
tannery, and was engaged in the manufac- 
ture of leather up to the time of his death, 
which occurred in 1850. His wife was born 
in \'irginia, August 5. iSj2. and with her 
parents, Thomas and INlaria ■Miller, came tn 
Fairfield county. Here she spent her re- 
maining days, iier death occurring on the 
1 2th of October, 1892. She was the mother 
i>f nine children. 

In the public schools of Lancaster, Hen- 
ry Clay Drinkle acquired his elementary 
education, which was supplemented in the 
Ohio Wesleyan L'niversity at Delaware, 
where he remained a student for three 
\ears. After putting aside his text books 
lie entered the office of the Lancaster Ga- 
zette, a Republican paper, and there learned 
the art oif printing, but his connection with 
ji urnalism did not continue long, for soon 
lie began reading law with Ju<lge John S. 
Brasee and was admitted to tlie bar before 



the supreme court, which met in Lancaster 
in 1878. Immediately afterward Mr. 
Drinkle oi>ened an office in this city and was 
soon appointed deputy internal revenue as- 
sessor for Hocking and Perry counties, in 
which capacity he served for four years, 
when the office was abolished. On the ex- 
piration of that period he l>egan active law 
practice in Lancaster, forming a partnership 
with his preceptor. John S. Brasee, and the 
relation was maintained with mutual pleas- 
ure and profit until January, 1S83, when 
Mr. Drinkle was elected president of the 
Hocking \^alley National Bank, and for one 
year contimied at the head of that institu- 
ti( n. In April. 1895, he was elected mayor 
of Lancaster and served for tiiree years, 
capably handling the reins of city govern- 
n^ent. He there exercised his official pre- 
ri gati\e5 in support of all measures which 
he believed woidd contribute to the general 
gi.ixl and his efforts in 1>ehalf of Lancas- 
ter proved of much value. 

On the 26th of November, iSgo, Mr. 
Drinkle was united in marriage to Miss 
Kate Vorys, of Lancaster, a daughter of 
Isaiah and Emma (Webb) \'nrys. Mrs. 
Drinkle was born and reared in this city 
and by her marriage has become the nrnther 
of two children, Charles R., born in May, 
1891 : and Mary Catherine, born in June, 
1894. Mr. Drinkle is a meml)er of Lan- 
caster Lodge, No. 57, F. & A. M.. also be- 
longs to the chapter, and has attained to the 
Knight Templar degree in the comnuuidery. 
In June. i8c)i, he was i\\y\y inted In- Gov- 



372 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ernor Bushnell as common pleas judge to 
till out the unex])ire(l term of William 
Schultz. who (lied in office, and Mr. Drinkle 
presided over that court until the following' 
November. In his profession he has at- 
tained to ant envia.l>le position. A man who 
builds for a life time Iniilds slowly and well. 
His advancement is usually by fixed deg^rees. 
He makes each forward step with a care 
that conduces to both safety and progress' 
and dqjends not on fortuitous circumstances 



Init upon earnest, hard work. Among Lan- 
caster's many carefully trained lawyers 
there is none who more willingly acknt)wl- 
edges his advancement to faithful lalxir ami 
to the lessons learned in tlie school of ex- 
perience. His legal learning, his analytical 
mind, the readiness with which he grasps 
a point in an argimient all combine tn nmke 
him one rif the strongest members of Lan- 
ca.ster's bar and to gain him prestige as a 
re])resentative of the profession. 



THOMAS COLE. 



Thomas Cole, who is now leading a re- 
tiretl life in Amanda township upon the 
farm which has long been his home, is ac- 
counted one of the native sons of Fairfield 
county. His birth occurred in Amanda 
township, February 15, 1828. and he be- 
longs to one of the old and honored fam- 
ilies of this portion of the state. His pa- 
ternal grandfather, Thomas Cole, was Ijorn 
in Pennsylvania in 1757 and was united in 
marriage to Elizal)eth Stevens. It was in 
the year 1801 tliai he emigrated westward, 
leaving the Keystone state in order to make 
a home upon the wild western frontier of 
Ohio. He took up his alxide in what is now 
Amanda township, Fairfield county, where 
be purchased a section of land. ujMin which 
not a furrow had l)een turned or an im- 
provement made. The hardships and trials 
of a pioneer life were Ijorne by himself and 



family, but as the years progressed he was. 
enabled to supply his home with all of the 
comforts and conveniences known to the 
older east. He erected a hewed-log house, 
and aJthough it was not very commodious, 
and its furnishings were jirimitive. happi- 
ness reigned there and the family bravely 
t(K>k their part in the work of development 
and im]>ro\ement, their lalx)rs lieing 
crowned with success. The grandfather 
died in 1840. He served his country as a 
member of a scouting party in the RcnoIu- 
ticxnary war. but was not in the regular 
army. .After the <:rganization of the par- 
ties of the Rei>ublic he became a W big, and 
in religious faith he was an old school Ba])- 
tist. His wife died in 1831 when abi ut 
seventy-one years of age. 

The parents of our subject were Broaxl 
and l.eah ( Peters) Cole. The father was. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



373 



I>i.)ni in -Xmanda township and throug'hnut 
liis entire life lived upon tliat fami, wliicli 
was endeared to him through tiie associa- 
tions <.>f his h,ioyhood as well as those of his 
nianho(jil. His birth occurrecl in 1K02 and 
after reaching nianlnxid he ga\e his entire 
attentii n to general farming and stock-rais- 
ing, hi^ business affairs heimg so capably 
conducted that he met with a gratifying de- 
gree of prosperity. He tix) voted the Whig 
ticket in early life, but after the dissolu- 
tion of that party he joiined the Democratic 
]>art_\-. He never cared for or held ofifice. 
but was content to do^ his duty as a private 
citizen. Hte- belonged to theold school Bap- 
tist church and his life was an honorable 
anid upright one. His home always contin- 
ued Ut be the cjUI liomestead. comprising 
two hundred twenty-eight acres, which he 
■obtained from his father. 

.\fter arriving at years of maturity he 
wedded I.eah Peters, whose birth occurred 
at ^[anchester, ^laryland in 1806. She 
came to Fairfield county when a little maid- 
en of six sumniiers, accom])anied by her par- 
aits, Samuel and Mary (Stevenson) Peters, 
the former a prominent and pro^gressive 
farmer of his day. He died in 1S31. The 
miother of oiir sul>ject spent her entire mar- 
ried life on the old Cole homestead and died 
in iSq.v while the father of onr sul>ject 
passed away in 1882 at the age of eighty 
years. In their family were twelve children, 
of whom Thomas Cole is the eldest. Seven 
of the number are _\et living, all sons. 

Thomas Cole, whose name forms the 
caption of this revieAV. acquired his early ed- 
ucation in the common schools o>f his town- 
shii> and when he had mastered the branches 



oi learning there, he matriculated in the 
academy at Greenfield, Ohio'. .Afterward he 
assisted his father in carrying on the home 
farm until he had attained the age of man- 
hootl. Kxen then he remainetl on the old 
homestead until his marriage, at which time 
he iiurchased a portion of the farm upon 
which he now resides, having made it his 
hrniie continuously for half a century. He 
o'wned and operated two hundred twenty 
acres of land, of which one hundred fifty 
acres lies within Fairfield county, while the 
reni'ainder is across the Ixirder in Pickaway 
count}-. He ha.s, erected all the buildings 
upon this place, substantial bams and other 
structures for the sheltering ol grain and 
stock, as well as a comfortable residence, 
which stand as monuments to his thrift and 
industry. Throughout his Inisiness career 
he carried on general farming and stock- 
raising, and his labors resulted successfully, 
for as time passed he had added annually 
to his capital until he is now the ]>ossessor 
of a \ery handsome com])etence, which en- 
ables him to live retired. 

In Februan-, 1852, Mr. Cole was united 
in marriage in Pickaway county to Miss 
Mary J. Courtright. the daughter of Jesse 
I), and Sallie (Stout) Courtright. Her fa- 
ther was born in Fairfield county and lived 
here until he had attained to man's estate, 
when he removed to Pickaway county, 
where he folloiwed fanning" for many years. 
His death occurred in Circleville, Ohio, 
Ohio, as a salesman for Shillito & Com- 
pany. Returning to Lancaster, he became 
when he was about sixty-two years of age. 
His father, John Coin"tright, was one of 
the early and honored pioneer settlers of 



374 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Fairfield cownty, residing here continuously 
from the time of his arrival until his death. 
He was a prominent and enterprising farm- 
er, who did much toward reclaiming the 
wild land and transforming it into culti- 
vated fields. His death occurred at his 
home in this county. Mrs. Cole, the wife of 
our suhject, was Ixjrn in Clear Creek town- 
ship. Fairfield county, and by her marriage 
became the mother of eight children, seven 
of whom are still living. J«ihn. who is a 
farmer residing in Columbiana county, 
Ohio, married Miss Ephama Battin, of 
Clark county. Ohio, who died alxjut thirteen 
years ago, lea\ing one child. Harry B.. who 
now resides in Pittslnirg. Pennsylvania, be- 
ing emiployed there. Amanda is the wife 
of A. R. Work, a resident farmer and stock 
raiser of Madi.son township. Pickaway 
county. Emma is the wife of H. C. Bailey, 
of Amanda townshi]!, who is engaged in 
teaching in the ])ublic schools, having been 
identified with educational interests in that 
way for twenty-seven years. He was born 
in this county and is a son of Martin and 
Margaret (Smith) Bailey, the former an 
early settler of this county and a farmer 
by occupation, devoting his energies to that 
pursuit until his life's labors were ended in 
death. Professor H. C. Bailey has served 
as county school examiner for the past three 
years. He is widely known as a success- 
ful educator of marked ability and his la- 
bors have largely promoted the standard of 
the schools in this kxality. Unto him and 
his wife have been torn five children : Ross, 
Ralph, Dwight, Hazel and Lorena. The 
last named is now deceased. Xathan died 



in 1862 at the age of one year. Alva re^ 
sides in Xew Bedford, Massachusetts, and 
holds a government position as superintend- 
ent of construction at Fort Rotlman. He 
married Laura Koontz, of Columbus, Ohio. 
George is anployed iu' the railway mail 
service on the Pitt.sburg & St. Louis road, 
having held that position for the past nine 
years. He married Carrie Horsch, of Dub- 
lin. Franklin county, and they are now liv- 
ing in Columbus. Lewis, a resident farmer 
of Pickaway county, Ohio, wedded Cora 
Beatty, and they have one child, Dana. 
Frank is a stenographer residing in New 
\'ork city, and married Xellie Ford, of 
Piiughkeepsie, New York, by whom he has 
one child, Agnes. All of the children were 
Ixirn in .\manda township on the farm 
w here the father is now living. The mother 
passed away on the old family homestead 
January 21, 1902, at the age of sixty-nine 
years and was laid to rest in the cemetery 
of Lithopolis. She was an estimable lady 
and Iter loss was deeply mourned not only 
by her immediate family but by her many 
friends. 

Mr. Cole has filled many public ]K>si- 
tions of honor and trust, to which he has 
lieen called by his fellow trnvnsmen, who 
recognized his worth and ability. He has 
served as an assessor and trustee of his 
townshi]> and for many years was justice 
of the peace, discharging his duties with 
absolute fairness and impartiality. He lie- 
longs to the Baptist church and for twenty- 
five or thirty years has been one of its lead- 
ers, doing all in his power to advance its 
work and promote its upbuilding. He is an 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



375 



earnest ad\-ocate af all measures tending to 
promote the public good, and the welfare 
of his county he has deeply at heart. He 
has witnessed n:any changes tliat have oc- 
curred liere during seven decades anil he has 
ever borne his part in making the county 
what it is to-day. He has seen its wild lands 
reclaimed for puqwses of civilization and 
the barren tracts have been made to bloom 
and blossom as the rose. He has wit- 



nessed the growth of town and village; 
the introduction oi industries and manu- 
factories, while schools and churches 
have indicated the intellectual and moral 
progress. He is now numliered among 
the venerable citizens of the county, hav- 
ing passed the Psalmists's span of three 
score years and ten. His life is in many 
respects well worthy of emulation, for he is 
of a high tvpe of American manhood. 



CALEB H. PEARCE. 



The history of the agricultural interests 
of Fairfield county would be incomplete 
without mention of the Pearce famil}-, that 
since early days has contril>uted its share 
to the progress, development antl upbuild- 
ing of this portion of the state. James 
Reed Peirce. the father of our subject, was 
born in Ireland about 1790 and in that 
country acquired his education. When still 
quite young, however, he left the Emerald 
Isle and as a sailor followed the seas for 
aljout tweh'e years, but finally took up his 
abode in Rhode Island. At a later date he 
removed to W'orthimgton, Ohio, and subse- 
quently came to Berne township, Fairfield 
county, where he spent his remaining days. 
He was united in marriage to Miss Mary 
Elizabeth Briggs, a native of Massachusetts, 
and their children were six in number. 
namely : Christina, Isaac, James, Henry, 
Caleb H. and Newton. The home farm 



comprised one hundred and two acres of 
land, which Mr. Pearce had purchased when 
he arrived in this county. In connection 
with agricultural pursuits he operated a 
wool carding miill, there being but two in 
the entire county. He was a very success- 
ful man in business, being kno^wn through- 
out this portion of the state as a leading- 
representative of industrial and agricultural 
interests. All his business affairs were 
guided by sound judgment and his word 
was regarded as good as his bond. His 
political support was given the Whig party 
until i860, when he voted for Abraham 
Lincoln. He held a number of public of- 
fices, served for several years as justice of 
the peace, was school examiner, and filled 
other positions of public trust and responsi- 
bility. Fraternally he was connected with 
the Masonic lodge of Lancaster and was a 
member of the Episcopal church. 



376 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Caleb H. Pearce was born in tliis cnui- 
ty on tbe 31st of C)ctol)er, 1832. and is now 
the (vnly one living in liis father's family. 
At the usual age he altered the district 
sch(K)ls to acquaint himself Avith the 
braiK-hes of English learning which fomi 
the basis of all our knowledge. He attend- 
ed school for alx>ut three months eacli year 
awl having completed his scIkk^I life at the 
age of twenty-one years, he thereafter gave 
all his attention to the work of the home 
farm. He continued to engage in its ojv' 
erations until the place was sold to the l>oard 
of education as a site for the Crawfiss In- 
stitute, which m)w stands there. Mr. Pearce 
then inircha-sed a farm^ near Royalton. Ohio, 
where he is still living. Tn his political 



views he is a stanch Rqiublican and he Ije- 
longs tf) the Reformed church of Sugar 
Cirove. Upright and honorable, he com- 
mands, the resi>ect aiwl coirfidence of all 
with whom he is brought in contact either 
in business or social life an<l is held in high 
regard by the entire cnmmimity in w hich he 
lives. 

In 1850 Mr. Pearce was unite<l in mar- 
riage to Miss Elizal)eth Ruble, a native of 
Berne township. Fairfield cmmty, and to 
this happy union were lK)rn eleven children, 
of whom six are yet living: Mary Eliza- 
beth: Edward C. : Alice Eugenia, wife of 
H. Baumgardner. a prominent citizen of 
Sugar Grove: Mildred H. : Isaac \. and 
(ienrge R. 



CHARLES H. TOWSON. 



Charles H. Towson was Ijorn June 28. 
185 1, in Lancaster, Ohio, and in the public 
schools he l)egan his educationi, continuing 
until he had jKirtially mastered a high schix>l 
course, but lie was mot privileged to com- 
plete a course, for circumstances made it 
necessary i^>r iiim to seek emplo)'nient. 
For three years he worked at the carpen- 
ter's trade as an employe of the finn of 
Onnan Brothers, but in the winter of the 
third year the i>Iant was closed for lack of 
work and Mr. Towscni was therefore forced 
to turn his attention to other ]>ursuits. He 
engaged to solicit insurance for the Ohio 



Farmers Insurance Company and found that 
he had sui>erior ability in that direction. 
Later in the same year he established a fire 
insurance agency of his own an<l for twen- 
ty-eight years has continued in the business, 
representing some of the strongest coiu- 
l>anies in this country and in Iuiro])e, l)eing 
connected with many of these tln"oughout 
the entire ]>eriod in which he has l)een' en- 
gaged in the insurance busine.ss. As he 
prospered in his undertakings be made ju- 
dicious investments in real estate. Iniying 
lots at the edge of the city. He made the 
first subdivision of what is now known as 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 177 

the Hop Com/i)any's addition to the city and during that time was chairman of the com- 

thereon erected houses, selHng- them on the mittee on puhHc property and the finance 

mo'Uthly instalhnent ]jlan. That Mr. Tow- committee. During tliis i>eriod tlie public 

son is a man of resourceful business abilitx', park at the siiuare was improx'cd under the 

of marked enterprise and keen di.sccru'inent direction oif his committee. In the early 

is indicated by the many important husuiess days he took a very active part in many 

concerns with which he has been identified sei-ret ami henex-olent orders. He was one 

and which have profited by his wise coamsel of the charter members oif Mt. Pleasant 

and capable management. He was one of Lodge, Xo. 48. K. I'., and still retains man- 

the organizers of the Square Deal Savings jjership in that organization. He is also a 

& Loan Conipan.}-. of whicii he became sec- member of Charity Lodge, No. 7, L O. O. 

retary, continually serving in that capacity F., and past grand patriarch of Hock Hcx:k- 

until the present time, lliis is one of the ing Rncampment, No. 2'^. He is also a 

strong financial institutions oif the city an<l member o^f the Mystic Circle and of the 

one of the mrist important. It has done a Royal Arcanum and belomgs to the Lan- 

splendid work in enabling many to secure caster Athletic Glub. The moral develop- 

homes who otherwise could not have done ment of the community also receives his at- 

so had they had to make an entire ])ayment tention and support. He is interested in the 

outright for the ]>roperty. For one year Unfon Mission Sunday-school on the west 

Mr. Towson was tlie president of the Lan- side and at the jiresent time is serving as 

caster Board of Trade, assisted iui its re- its superintendent. To say of him. whose 

organization and for the ])ast two years has name lieads this sketch, that he has risen 

been its secretary. At a recent date in con- unaided fnnn comiparative obscurity to rank 

nection with C. F. Cole and W'illiami L. among the most prominent and successful 

Martin, he Iiecame the owner of the Lan- business men of Lancaster is a statanent 

caster Bank, the oldest institution of its that .seems trite to those familiar with his 

kind in the city, and is now its vice-presi- life, yet his work has contributed to the 

dent. dexelopment of Lancaster, formiing a part 

Although his business interests have of its history, a history that will descend to 

e\er been of a character to. ])rom«)te tlie fntm-e generations who should know that 

geu'eral pnxs]jerit\- as well as his individual the business recoird of Cbarles H. Towson 

.success, Mr. Towson has also labored for is one that any man would be proiiul to ix>s- 

the public good along lines whereby he has sess. ble has advanced step by step until 

been in m, means benefited, co-operating in he is now occupying a jxisitioui (rf promi- 

e\ery movement for the general gord. He nence and trust iu' his nati\e city. Through 

has served as a member of the city coimcil his entire business career he has l>een l<Toked 

from the fourth ward for four years and upon as a nrodel of integrity an<l homoir, 



378 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



never making an engagement that he has ness integrity, can accompHsh for a man of 

not fulfilled and standing to-day an ex- natural ability and strength of character, 

ample of what determination and force, He has the respect and confidence of a large 

combined with the highest degree of biisi- circle of business associates. 



LOUIS J. SNYDER. 

Few men are more prominent or more also a native of Germany and was a maiden 

widely known in the enterprising city of of twelve summers when she crossed the 

Lancaster than Louis J. Snyder. He has briny deep to the new world in company 

been an important factor in business cir- witli her father. John Hengst. who became 

cles and his i)0]>ularity is well deser\ed. as an early settler of Lancaster. Mrs. Sny- 

in him are embraced the characteristics of der survived her husband for two years, 

<'m unbending integrity, unabating energy passing away on the 8th of August. 1893. 

and industry that never flags. He is public In the family were nine children who • 

spirited and thoroughly interested in what- reached mature years and seven are still 

ever tends to jiromote the welfare of the living. In order of birth they were Cath- 

city and his own labors have Ijeen a potent erine, Henry, William, John. Elizabeth, 

element in ]>romoting the material develop- George W., Charles F., Louis J. and Sarah, 
ment of the city, where he is now carrying In the city where he still makes his 

on a wholesale business as a dealer in lime, home Louis J. Snyder was reared and edu- 

cement. hair and coal, handling the last cated and on leaving school he entered uixmi 

name<l product in very large fpiantities. his business career in the capacity of clerk, 

Mr. Snyder was Ixirn in this city, De- being employed by various parties. He first 

ceml>er 23, 1S37. His father, Henr\' Sny- embarked upon an independent venture as 

dcr, was Ixirn in Germany and when in his a retail griK'ery merchant and ais his finan- 

sixtecnth \ear crossed the .\tlantic to Amer- cial resources increased he l>egan dealing irr 

ica, settling in Lancaster, Ohio, where he coal. Finally his business was merged into 

engaged in general merchandising for many a wholesale venture and he Ijecame a jobber, 

years, being thus connected with commer- selling his products in carloads along the 

cial interests of the city until within a short line of the railroad. For some years he 

time of his <Ieath. which occurred on the received his su]>])ly of coal by canal and now 

8th of January. i8()i. His wife, who in all business is conducted through the 

her maidenh(HKl was Catherine Hengst, was medium of the railroads. His trade has 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



379- 



constantly increased and has now assumed 
extensive proportions, so that his large 
sales annually return to him a very grati- 
fying income. 

Mr. Snyder is also largely interested in 
real estate and iiandled much property dur- 
ing the years of 1896-7. He was engaged 
in the sale of lots ami city property and 
owns considerable vahiable realty within 
the corporate limits of Lancaster and also 
some outside the city. For seven years he 
was a director of the Citizens' Loan & 
Building Association. His present place of 
business is on \\"est ]\I.ain street and he is 
regarded as one of the successful, progress- 
ive business men of Lancaster. 

For fourteen years Mr. Snyder was the 
secretary and superintendent of the Lancas- 
ter city water works, dm'ing which time 
many of the ]M-incipal improvements in the 
svstem were made. The new reservoir was 



secured and the new water mains were ex- 
tended from six to fourteen miles. The 
system was perfected under his direction, 
new grades were established, new boilers- 
an.d new machinery were secured and the 
plant thus became one of the most complete 
in this portion of the state. Of its water 
works Lancaster has every reason to be 
proud. Politically Mr. Snyder is a Demo- 
crat and takes great interest in securing the 
election of his friemls and the success of his- 
party. He is a member of the board of 
equalization, but has not sought many fa- 
vors at the hands of his party. As a citi- 
zen he is alert and enterprising and co-op- 
erates heartily in all mo'vements for the gen- 
eral good. In business affairs he is ener- 
getic, prompt and notably reliable. Tire- 
less energy, keen perception and honesty of 
purpose, joined to every-day common sense, 
these are his cliief characteristics.. 



JOSEPH P. GUNDY. 



Joseph P. Gundy, whose efforts contrib- 
ute to the commercial activity of Carroll, 
where lie is engaged in grain dealing, was 
born in Decemljer. 1867. His father, Isaac 
Gundy, was also bom on the same farm and 
still resides there, at the ancestral home in 
which the grandfather, Joseph Gundy, first 
settled on cnming tn this localitv. as a pio- 
neer. The sul)ject of this review spent his 
early life upon the home farm. He attend- 
ed the district schools of the neigliborhoo<l 



and afterward continued his education in 
the high schooJ at Carroll and as a com- 
jKininn and helpmate on life's journev he- 
chose Miss Jessie Wilson, the marriage l)e- 
ing celebrated on the nth of March, 1891. 
The lady was a daughter of \\'illiam D. 
\A^iIson, a nurseryman of Illinois, who died 
iu' 1873. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. 
Gundy tock up their abo<le on one of his 
father's farms, known as the Copman Nurs- 
erv l<"arm and his time was devoted to the 



380 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cultivaticii of tlie fields and to dealing in 
li\e stock. He continued in tliis line (if 
business until March. 1900. when he en- 
tered intf) partnership with his father un- 
der the firm name uf Isaac Gundy & Son for 
the purpose of dealing in hay. grain and 
coal. 'Hiey purciiased the H. J- Knively 
ele\'ator at Carroll, where they are doing 
a successful business, handling a large 
.anmunt of grain annually ;ui<l thus secur- 
ing a g(MKl income. 



The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gundy 
has been blessed with two children: Fern, 
who was born .\'ovenil)er 25, 1892; and 
Xeal. born January 30. 1H97. Oiir subject 
and liis wife ar well known in the com- 
nnniity and he is widely recognizetl as an 
enter])rising an<l ]>rogressive business man, 
whose efforts furnish a market to the fann- 
ers of the cc.nnnunity and at tiie same time 
brings to him a highly creditable degree of 
success. 



HORATIO G. TROUT. 



There are few men whose lives are 
■crowned with the honi>r and respect which 
i-- uni\crsally accorded lloratio G. Trout, 
but through more than half a century's con- 
nection with Lancester's biston- his has 
been an unblemished character. With hin^ 
success in life has been reached by his ster- 
ling <|ualities ()f nvind and heart. True to 
e\'ery manly ])rinciple. he has never deviat- 
ed from what his judgment woiild indicate 
to be right and honorable between his fellow 
men and himself. He has n.e\er swerved 
frmu t!ie path of dutw and now after a long 
and eventful career be can look back over 
the past with i)ride an<l enjoy the remain- 
ing years of his earthly ])ilgrimage with a 
consciousness r>i having gained for hinvself 
by his honorable, straightforward career the 
confidence of the entire coiumunity in which 
he lives. 



Horatio Gates Trout was horn in Milton, 
Pennsylvania, Xovemlier 15, 1SJ9, and 
there he mastered the tailoring trade, learn- 
ing tiie business in all of its various dq)art- 
ments. 1 le was about eighteen years of 
age when he came to Lancaster and since 
that time he has been continuously identi- 
fied with tlie comniercial development of 
the city. He arrived here on the 24th of 
July, 1H47, and at once entered the employ 
of Henry S])ringer, for wlu>m he continued 
to work mitil 1X50. when he was a<lmitted 
to a partnership in the tailoring busii^ess. 
This relation was maintained for ten cihv 
secutive years, orn the ex])iration of which 
])eri(>{l Mr. Trout withdrew from the firm 
and accepte<l a pivsitiiHi as chief cutter 
for I'hiii]) Rising. His thorough under- 
standmg of tiie work and his capability led 
to his retention in that ]M)sition until 1867, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



38 1' 



when, desiring- to engage in Imsiness on his 
own acconnt. he resigned and entered into 
partnership with Orrin E. Peters and John 
Reher in the clothing and mercliant tailor- 
ing business, under the fimii style oif Peters, 
Trout & Company. This relation was main- 
tained imtil 1876, when Mr. Reher retired 
from the firm and Messrs. Peters and Trout 
conducted tlie business, calling their store 
the Temple of Fashion. A salesman was 
emplo\-ed to go upon the road, taking meas- 
ures and selling suits by sampiles, and this 
in addition tO' their local trade brought to 
them an immense business, which annually 
increased and for a long period fur- 
nished employment to seventy operatives in 
their shop, while their sales amounted to 
eighty-five thousand dollars annuailly. The 
business was first conducted in the Mar- 
cuson room and later they removed to a 
room in the MacCracken block and after- 
ward to a rcKjm in the J. C. Weaver block, 
btit the constantlv increasing Inisiness de- 
manded larger rpiarters and the finni erected 
what is kno'wn as the Temple of Fashion 
Building, at the corner of the public scpiare 
and Broad street, remoiving thereto, in the 
spring of 1882. Tbis is one of the largest 
and nvist imposing buildings of the city and 
stands as a mnnument to the enterprise and 
business ability of the owners. 

In the year 1880 Mr. Peters removed to 
Cincinnati, but did not sell his interests in 
Lancaster at that time. From 1865 until 
1 80/ he was in partnership wnth the 
brothers Peter and Gerhard Miller, and it 
was in the latter year that the partnershi]) 
with our subject was formed. Mr. Peters 



now resides in, Cincinnati ai-.id is the treas- 
urer of the King Powder Company and of 
the Peters Cartridge Company. In 1894 Mr, 
Tnait purchased the interest of Mr. Peters 
in the real estate wliich they owned to- 
gether, thus becoming the sole owner of the 
Temple of Fashion Building, and in Jami- 
ary, 1896, he inirchased his interest in the 
stock, thus becoming the absolute proprietor 
of tlie store and its contents. This is one 
of the largest substantial business interests 
of the city and the house has ever main- 
tained an unassailable reputation in con> 
mercial circles, both on account of the ex- 
cellent work furnished and of the honorable 
business methods pursued. 

Ill Sq>tember, 1849, Mr, Trout was 
united in marriage to Miss Ruth Card, and 
for more than a half century they ha\-e now 
traveled life's journey together. For fifty 
years Mr. Troxit has been a memljer of the 
Methodist Episcopal church oif Lancaster 
and throughout the i>eriod lias been con- 
necte<l with the Sunday-school either as a 
teacher or superintendent. He was ap- 
jKjinted to the former po'sition in 1847 ^Y 
John M. Creed, w-bo was then serving as 
su]}erintendent. Later Mr. Trout was 
elected to the superhitendency, antl his 
efforts have been continuous and efi^ectix'e 
in the advancement of educational religious 
training for the young. For forty-five years 
he has served in offices of the church and 
for twenty-four years he has lieen a trustee 
<if the Lancaster Camp Meeting, this cov- 
ering the entire ]5eriod of the existence of 
the organization. For six years Mr. Trout 
was also a prominent member of the school' 



38: 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



hx-iard. His interest in evervthin^^ pertain- changing will have commanded the iiighest 
ing to the general welfare has been deep and respect of all. Jle has been a leader in the 
sincere, as is indicated in' his active co- cause of liljerty, of freedom and of progress, 
■operatirn in measnres for the general good, and his hearty co-oi)eration has ever been 
His unswerving purpose, his unquestioned given ti> that which temls to elevate man- 
fidelity, his unfaltering honesty antl his un- kind. 



CLIFF O. BEALS. 



Cliff O. Beals. who is engaged in the 
practice of law in Pickerington and is num- 
bered among the native sons of Fairfield 
■county, his l)irth lia\iiig occurred iii the 
I5tli of Augvist, 1871, is a son of W. G. 
and Xancy (Betliel) Beals. His grand- 
father, George Beals. came to Ohioi about 
seventy-five years ago. taking up his resi- 
dence in X'iulet township. He ser\ed his 
country as a lieutenant in the Revolutionary 
Avar and became an active factor in the sub- 
stantial de\elopment of this i)art of the 
.state. In his family were four children; 
EiTOch, Wood. .\ni;ind;L and William (1.. 
but tiie only one nt)w living is William G. 
Beals. the father of our subject. He has 
made his honre in this county for three- 
(|uarters of a century, having taken uj) his 
al)odc. at the time of his arrival, in \'iolcl 
township, Ijut at the present time he is a 
resident of Pickerington. On reaching 
Ohio lie located in Licking comity, and dur- 
ing seventeen years he was in the gold fields 
of California. P.y trade he was a black- 
smitli. but fluring much of his active life he 



fo'llovved farming in Violet town.ship. At 
the present time he is living retired in the 
enjoyment of a well-merited rest. He was 
united in marriage to Xancy Bethel, a 
daughter of John Bethel, who was a native 
of Virginia, where he spent his entire life. 
He was one of a family of eight children 
and was reared by Jonathan Edwards. 
L'nto William G. and Xau'cy Beals were 
born ten children, nine of wliom are yet liv- 
ing, namely : Merrill. Sadie, George, Meta 
and Mary ( twins), John, Cliff O., .Mva and 
Xellie. Marry died at the age of eighteen 
years, the result of an accident. 

Cliff O. Beals, whose name intrcxluces 
this record, ])ursued his early education in 
the district schools of Violet township and 
later continued his studies in the Revnolds- 
burg high schiool, in which he was gradu- 
ated. He then entered the Normal Uni- 
versity at .\da, Ohio, taking a scientific 
course iu' 1S92-3. He is not only a self- 
made man but is a self-educated man. for at 
an early age he began to earn his own living 
and lie worked for his Iwnird during his 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



383 



schoi'l life. He also did abstractino- during 
his course in Ada and thus provided for the 
expenses of his college education. Subse- 
(piently he engaged in teaching school in the 
country for fl\-e years and in the meantime 
pursued the study of la\y, being admitted 
to the bar of Ohio on the ist of March, 
1S94. He then began practice in Picker- 
ington, where he has since been located, and 
has met with gratifying success, haying 
l>een connected with much of the important 
litigation tried in the courts of the locality. 
In August, 1897, Mr. Beals was united 
in marriage to Miss Laura Painter, a 
daughter of J. S. and Ellen Painter, of 



Canal Winchester. Fraternall}- he is a 
meml)er of the Knights of Pythias, of the 
Impro\ed Order oi Red Mem and of the 
\\'o(:dmen of the World. For six years he 
has serx'ed as justice of the peace, and in 
his poJitical yiews is a Republicaui, taking 
an active part in the work o'f the party, 
serving at the present time as a member of 
the executive and of the central commiittee. 
He is a yoimg man,, of large force of char- 
acter, of laudable ambiitiom and strong 
mentality, and these qualities have already 
gained for him creditable success and will 
doubtless win for him still greater success 
in the future. 



ROBERT WORK. 



The life span of Robert Work covered 
seventy-eight years. His record was one 
of activity in business, of faithfulness in 
citizenship, of honor in all his relations with 
his fellow men and of marked fidelit}- to the 
cause of Christ. He was born April 12, 
1817, in this county and died upon his farm 
near Lancaster on the 2nd of November, 
1890. 

His parents, Joseph and Xancy Work, 
came to Fairfield county in 1810 and set- 
tled in rireentield township in the viciniity 
of what was then called Wilderness Gap. 
The 'lew district was an almost unl.irc.ken 
torest and the homies of the settlers were 
^videlv scattered. Blazed trees marked the 



path through the forest, for there were no 
roads and the streams were un1>ridged. The 
settlers usually followed the old Indian 
trails as thev made their wa\' from one 
point to another and the red men were still 
found in this portion of the country, hunt- 
ing in the forests and fishing in the streams, 
following their nomadic method of living, 
but l>eing pushed constantly westward by 
the encroachment of civilization. The 
^^'ork family experienced all the hardships 
and privations incidenit to pioneer experi- 
ence. In the family were eleven- children, 
all of will ml reached years of maturity, 
were married and had families of their own, 
but none now survive. 



384 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



kohert Work was the eighth cliild in 
the family and amid the wild scenes of the 
frontier lie was reared, sharing with the 
others many trials which beset pioneer exist- 
ence and at the same time enjoying' pleas- 
ures wliich are only known amid snch c<^n- 
ditions. After arriving at years of ma- 
turity he wedded Miss Mary A. \\'ilson. 
the marriage being celebrated October 3. 
1853. 1 Ur ])arents were Daviil and Eliza- 
beth ( Bn)l)st ) Wilson, the former a native 
of liedford. Pennsylvania, and the latter of 
Washington, D. C. They l)ecame pitJiieer 
settlers of Fairlield county. prosi)eretl in 
tiieir undertakings here and were highly es- 
teemed by all who knew them. 'Hieir 
daughter. Mrs. Work, was lx>m in this 
county, (\-tober 16, 1835. and pursued her 
education in a private schrK>I in Rushville 
taught b\- Mrs. .Anderson, the wife of a 
Presbyterian minister. Later she liecame an 
assistant in tliat sch<x>l. In his Inisiness 
dealings Mr. Work was always reliable, 
straightforward and accurate an<l his name 
was synonymous with integrity. As the 
years passed five children canie to bless the 
home, but one died at the age of ten years 
and another in infancy. The three who still 
survive are Edward, who is engaged in tlie 
livery business in Lancaster: Carrie, the 
wife of Frank Hofifman, a retired fanner 
residing on the old homestead ; and .Mice 
O., who married William Leiby, an agri- 
culturist living in Greenfield township. 
These three children still survive their fa- 
ther, as does Mrs. Work. 

A public spirited and progressive citi- 



zen. Mr. Work was very active in support 
of all measures which he ljelie\ed woukl 
])rove of general giKul. He was especially 
strtmg as an advocate of gocxl roails. giving 
I.A his time. la1)or and money to establish 
and improve them. He built many of the 
roads of the locality, although op|xised by 
his neighlxvrs. who. however, afterward 
acknowledge their indebtechiess to him in 
this regard. He was ne\er hasty in form- 
ing his opinions, but when once he had be- 
come convince<l that a course was right, 
neither fear ni»r favor could swerve him. 
He was temjjerate in his habits, hon- 
orahle in all his dealings and was a 
kind and indulgent parent. He always 
had a smile ami a hearty hand clasp 
for his friemls and he was never happier 
than when surroimded by his wife and chil- 
dren at his own fireside. In early life he 
united with the Presbyterian church and 
was long one of its most faithful and con*- 
scientious maiiljers. while for many years 
he served as one of its ruling elders. In 
his political views he was a pronouncetl Re- 
juiblican. yet he never sought or ilesire<l 
office. .\t all times he commanded the re- 
s])ect of his fellow men by his sterling 
worth and well does he deser\e mention 
among the honored pioneers of Fairfield 
county, with whose history he was so long 
identified. Mrs. Work still sun-ives her 
husban<l and in her seventy-seventh year is 
enjoying giKxl health. She is a devoted 
nieml>er of the Methodist Episcopal church 
and her labors have been effectixe in pro- 
moting its growth and upbuilding. She is 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



385 



also untiring in her efforts to advance tlie ure that the writer presents to the readers of 

temperance cause, and hke her husband she this vokime — devoted as it is to the life rec- 

enjoys the high esteem of all with whom ords of representative citizens — the life rec- 

she has come in contact, and it is with pleas- ord of two such worthy j)eople. 



JAMES T. POWERS. 



James T. Powers has been connected 
with the fire department of Lancaster for a 
longer period than any other man and de- 
serves the gratitude and commendation of 
his fellow men by reason of his watchful- 
ness and his efficiency in times of danger. 
He was for a num'l>er of years chief of the 
department and at the present time is serv- 
ing as assistant chief. 

Mr. Powers was born in the city of Lan- 
caster on the 2d of March, i860, a son of 
Patrick and Mary (Lockery) Powers. The 
family is of Irish lineage and was founded 
in America by the paternal grandfather of 
our subject, who left the Emerald Isle and 
on coming tO' Ohio took up his abode in 
New Lexington but soon removed tOi Lan- 
caster and was numbered among the pioneer 
settlers of the village, which has since 
grown to be the thriving and populnus 
county seat. Patrick Powers was 1x>rn here 
in the year 1832 and throughout his life 
s|)an of forty years remained a resident of 
his native city, passing away in 1872. His 
wife, who still survi\es him. is \'et li\ing in 
Lancaster. 

James T. Powers was reared in this citv 
2 1 



and attended its public schools and after- 
ward continued his education in St. Mary's 
parochial school. Putting aside his text- 
books in his' fourteenth year he then en- 
tered upon his business career in the employ 
of Henry Harter, a merchant, with whom 
he remained for six years, and thus Mr. 
Powers became quite familiar with that 
business. He afterward entered the employ 
of the Hocking Valley Railroad Coniipany 
and was in the baggage and freight depart- 
ment for a period of twenty-one years, his 
long connection therewith being unniis'- 
takable evidence of his trustworthiness and 
efficiency. In 1878 he became a member of 
the fire department of Lancaster, and his 
service extends over a greater period than 
that of any one else connected therewith. 
He won promotion and for four years was 
chief of the department, while since .\ugiist, 
190 1, he has served as assistant chief. 

An ini]>oirtant e\-ent in the life of Mr. 
Powers (Kcurred in 1882. when he was 
united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Otney. of 
Lancaster, a daughter of John ;ind Laura 
Otney. who were early residents of this city. 
They now have two sons, Patrick H. and 



386 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Joseph I-ewis. 'I'heir home is in tlie third tion heinfj fully occiii)ie(l Ijv liis business 

ward, and in the city where tliey liave cares. He has a wide acquaintance in Lan- 

alwaxs resided Mr. and Mrs. Powers have caster, inchiding many who liave known 

many friends. He exercises liis right <>f him from l)oyli((()d. His circle of frieni'.s 

franchise in sui>i)ort of the Democracy but is e.\tensi\ e and all iia\e a good word for 



lias never sought or desired office, liis atten- 



Tames T. Powers. 



RICHARD HOLMES. 



Richard Holmes, a retired fanner and 
stock dealer. living in Carroll, has now 
passed the psalmist's span of three score 
years and ten. as be was born on a farm in 
Bloom township in 1829. His jjaternal 
grandfather was James Holmes, a native of 
Pennsylvania and one of the heroes of the 
Revolutionar\- war who fought from the 
commencement of the struggle till its close. 
lie married and passed the most of his life 
in Pennsylvania, but his last years were 
si)ent in Ohio, where he died at his home in 
the northern part of Fairfield county. He 
became the father of thirteen sons and one 
•daughter. Four of the sons were in the 
government service as civil engineers. 

Thomas Holmes, the father of our sub- 
ject, was l)orn in Washington county, 
Pennsvlvania. in 177H, and in about 1804 
can^e west. While on bis way here be 
looked for land where now stands the city 
C'f Columlnis, Ohio, but be did not consider 
it a goixl tract for farming purposes, so be 
continued i-n his way until be fouml a i)lace 
where al)out ten acres bad been cleared by 



the Indians, who had used it for a long 
time. ha\ing cultivated corn there. He 
found, too, that the .squatters bad taken pos- 
session of the land, but he paid the man a 
small amount of money to leave it and it 
was then that Mr. Hblmes became the 
owner of a tract on section i. Bloom town- 
shi]>, Fairfield county. Uix>n this farm he 
reared bis family of five sons and five 
daughters. He married Rachel Wiells. who 
was a daughter of (ieorge Wells, one of the 
honored ]ii(-neer settlers of the community, 
who bad come to the west from X'irginia. 
The family located near Hebron, where he 
lived until his death. He belonged to a 
family noted for ])atrii tism and li.yally and 
with eight of bis brothers he served bis 
countrv in ibe war for independence, join- 
ing the arnn when the attempt was first 
made to throw off the yoke of Pritish o]>- 
pression and continuing with the colonial 
trooj)s until the freedoni of the nation had 
been won. lie and bis brothers were all 
nnistered out of the service at the clo.se of 
the w;r in good health. Tbe\' were sons oi 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



387 



Alse Wells, wliose family numibereil alto- 
gether twenty-twii suns and Diie daughter, 
including the nine Revolutionary heroes. 
Some of their descendants still reside in and 
near Rockingham ct.unty. \'irginia. The 
marriage of Thomas Holmes' and Rachel 
Wells was blessed with ten children, hut our 
subject is now the only one living. The 
father engaged in farming and stock-rais- 
ing, and as there were no railroads at that 
time he would drive his stock across the 
country to Baltimore. The country was so 
Avikl that the path which he followed was 
scarcely more than a trail and bad condi- 
tions of the roads made travel very slow, as 
is evidenced liy the fact that it required 
from three to fom' months tr> make the trip 
from Ohio to Baltimore and return. Mr. 
Holmes continued to reside iipom his farm 
until the time of his death, which occurred 
in 1817. 

In, the usual manner of farm lads of the 
period Richard Holmes spent the days of 
his boyhood and youth. Ob the 9th of 
June, 1874, he was united in marriage to 
Catherine INIiller, a daughter of Peter Mil- 
ler, a resident farmer of Liberty township, 
Fairfield county. Mr, Holmes had acquired 
his education in an old-time log schoo'l 



house, where the methods of instruction! 
were almost as primiti\-e as the building oc- 
cupied. He remained with his father until 
the latter's death in 1847, ^^ which time he 
inherited a part of the old homestead. Two 
years later he sold his share to Samuel 
Ki.stler and the same year he purchased a 
farm from his brother Thomas. In 1855 
he sold this tract of land to his brother 
George and his brother-in-law. Deacon 
\\'hiticar, who divided the property. For 
many years Mr. Holmes was a buyer and 
shi]>per oi stock, sending- his stock to Pitts- 
l>urg, Philadelphia, Baltimore and New 
York. His life, although quietly passed, 
has been a busy and useful one, an<l through 
legitimate channels of trade he has won a 
comfortable competence, which now en- 
ables him to live retired. In politics he is a 
stalwart Reinitilican, firm in his support of 
the ])artv. and in religious faith he is a Pres- 
bxterian. At the age of seventy-three years 
he can read and write without the use of 
spectacles and is a well preserved man. He 
always has a good word for his neighbors 
and liy them is held in the highest esteem. 
No man deser\'es in a greater deg-ree the 
warm regard of their fellow citizens than 
dctes Richard Holmes. 



EDWARD W. WORK. 

Edward W. Work was born in Green- early settlers and nuich rcs])ected citizens of 

field township, Fairfield county, on the 24th this county. They resided u])on a fann and 

of March, 1858. His parents, Rohert and under the parental rooif the subject of this 

Mary ( Wilson ) Work, were among the re\-ie\v spent his boyhood days, taking his 



388 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



place in tlie fields from the time he was old 
eiKHigh to handle a plow. He assisted in 
the wark of planting and harvesting and 
when the !alx)rs of the fields were practical- 
ly o\"er for the year, he eittered the com- 
mon schools of the neighlx;rhcx>d, thus lay- 
ing the foundation for his education. He 
was afterward a student in the schools of 
Lancaster for a time and ranained upon 
the farm until his twenty-^iixth year, when, 
detennining to engage in other pursuits, he 
took up his abode in Lancaster, where he 
established a sale stable, conducting the 
same for twelve years. On the expiration 
of that i>eriod he purchased his present place, 
upon which lie erected a large and substan- 
tial barn, eighty-two by one hundred eleven 
feet. This is constructed upm a modern 



plan and the stable will accommotlate seven- 
ty-five horses. It is also well etpiipped with 
vehicles of all styles, including buggies, sur- 
reys, hacks and road carts. He also en- 
gages in boarding horses for local parties,, 
engages in buying and selling, and has the 
largest stable in Lancaster, doing the lead- 
ing business in his line. 

In 1881 occurred the marriage of Mr. 
\\"ork and Miss Mary S. Springer, of Lan- 
caster, and they now have one son, Robert, 
who is in sch(X)l. Whatever success Mr. 
^\"ork has achieved is due to his own en- 
ergy. His nanie might he considered the 
index of his career, for he has ever been 
noted for imlefatigable industry and this- 
combined with his good business judgment,, 
has brought to him desirable success. 



ISAIAH VORYS. 



With the building interests of Lan- 
caster Isaiah Vorys is connected, and his 
thorough understanding of his chosen voca- 
tion, his workmanship and his fidelity to the 
terms of a contract have lieen i>otent forces 
ill winning him success. He is to-day re- 
garded as one of the leading contractors 
and builders of Fairfield county and many 
of the substantial structures of Lancaster 
stand as monuments to his skill. 

.\ native of this city, Mr. Vorj's was 
born on the 26th of March, 1832, and is 
descended from good old Revolutionar)- 



stock. His paternal grandfather was. 
Abraham \'orys, who served as a soldier of 
the Revolutionary war, acting most of the 
time as teamster and general wagonmaster, 
Ijeing chief of the train. His son, Abraham 
\'orys, Jr., the grandfather of our sul>ject, 
was bom in \'irginia and for many years 
was engaged in teaming, driving from four 
to six horses to a wagon over the mountains 
to the markets. That was an impirtant 
business in those davs, ])rior to the building 
of the railroads, for all goods and produce 
had to be transjjorteil in that way. He mar- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



389 



Tied a Miss O'Neil. a native of Ireland and 
a representative of an old Scotch-Irish fam- 
ily. Among their children was Isaiah 
Vorys, Sr., who was born in Virginia oni 
the 19th of December. 1796. In the place 
of his nativity he remained until he had at- 
tained ti> man's estate and in 1S23 he ac- 
companied his parents in their removal to 
■Columbus, Ohio, coming fromj the latter 
place to Lancaster in the year 1835. He 
married a Miss W'orthington. of this city, 
who was a granddaughter of John Smith, a 
■commissioned officer of the state militia, 
becoming captain of a company in the }ear 
1803. Mrs. Vorys was IxnMi in Hagers- 
town, Maryland, Februan- 4, 1804. ami in 
1822 came to Faii"field county with her par- 
•ents, George Washington and Freda 
(Smith) Worthington. Mr. Vorys was a 
'Contractor and builder and throughout his 
aitire business career was connected with 
that line of industrial activity, being a well 
kno^vn representative O'f the business in 
Lancaster in the first half of the nineteenth 
centurv. He followed his chosen pursuit 
until his death, which occurred in 1866. 
His wife, long- surviving him, passed away 
in 1893. 

Isaiah Vorys, whose name introduces 
this record, is the only son and living child 
■of his parents. The common schools of 
Lancaster afforded him his early educa- 
tional privileges and in his youth he learned 
the carpenter's trade under the direction of 
his father, who saw that he was thorough 
and accurate in every department of the 
work. As his efficiency became recognized 
Ills patronage constantly increased and con- 



tracts were awarderl him for the erection of 
many of the best dwellings, business blocks, 
churches and school houses of Lancaster. 
His labors have also been sought in sur- 
rounding country and he has a wide repu- 
tation as a most capable contractor and 
builder. 

In 1854 Mr. Vorys was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Anna Webb, of Hocking 
county, Ohio, a daughter of the Rev. 
Thomas Webb, who was a Methodist Epis- 
copal minister, devoting his life to the up- 
building of the church. He inarried Cath- 
erine Lindille. Mrs. Vorys' people removed 
from Virginia to Fairfield comity in 181 8, 
ha\ing previously been residents of Rock- 
ingham county in the Old Dominiom. She 
li\ed to a very advanced age, passing away 
in 1886. She left the following children: 
Catherine, now the wife of the Hon. Clay 
H. Driiikle, the ex-probate judge of Fair- 
fiekl county; Alice, the wife of John R. Mc- 
Langhan, an imiporter of fine horses ; and 
Arthur I. In 1886 Mr. Vorys was again 
ni;irried. his second union being with Miss 
May AWight, a daughter of John A. 
Wright, one of the early residents of Laii- 
caster who came to Ohio from Virginia. 
His wife bore the maiden name of Margaret 
Smith and belonged to one of the old pio- 
neer families wliich located in Lancaster in 
1810. 

Mr. Vorys gives his political support to 
the Democracy and for several tenns has 
served as a member of the city council, hav- 
ing first been appointed to fill a vacancy and 
then elected to that office. He has also 
been a member of the school board of Laj>- 



390 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



caster for se\-eral years and the cause of 
education finds in Iiim a warm friend. He 
is numbered among the consistent and val- 
ued manbers of tlie Methodist Episcopal 
church and for a long period he serA'ed as 
one of the teachers of the Sunday-school. 
He lias a comfortable ami substantial resi- 
dence at No. I ID West Mulbern*- street and 
throughout tlie con^munity is highly es- 



teemed. He ha.s made good use of his 
opportunities, has prospered ^from year to 
year, has conducted all business matters 
carefully and successfully and has thereby 
won prosperity. He always has a cheerful 
word and pleasant smile for all those with 
whom he comes in cc^ntact and is numl)ere<l 
among the valued residents of his native 
citv. 



JACOB J. WETZEL. 



Jacob J. Wetzel, who for ten years has 
been in the government service, filling the 
jxisition of postman in Lancaster, was born 
in tlie city which is still his home, his natal 
day being April 4. 1862. Almost thirty 
years before the family had l^en founded in 
America, coming to this country from the 
ancestral home in Germany. The parents 
of our subject were John and Elizal)eth 
\\ etzel. who became wuriliy citizens of 
Fairfield county. In their home the sub- 
ject of this review spent his youth and en- 
joyed the educational privileges afforded in 
the public .schools. He completed his liter- 
ary education when in his seventeenth 
year and for several years thereafter was 
variously employed. He assisted his father 
in the hotel business and for nine years was 
in the employ of his brother, George Wetzel, 
in the drug trade, leaving the store to lie- 
come connected with the mail service of this 
city as a postman. Me was a])pointed to 



that position in 1892 and has served con- 
tinuously since through the different admin- 
istrations, discharging his duties promptlly. 
capably and with consideration for the 
patrons of the Lancaster post office and witJi 
marked fidelity to the government. Thus 
he has gained the jniblic approval and has 
been retained in office to the present time. 
On the 17th of March, 18S9. Mr. 
Wetzel was united in marriage to Miss 
Sally May Boast, a daughter of \\'illiam 
and Fanny (Faust) Boast. Her father was 
a native of England but in early childhood 
came to .\merica and in pioneer days in 
Fairfield county took uj) his abode here. 
His wife was born in this coimty and was a 
granddaughter of .An<lrew Faust, an old- 
time resident of Lancaster, who had mar- 
ried Rachel Drum and had removed from 
Penn.sylvania to Fairfield d unty. settling in 
Lancaster aljout 1S20. loiter he removed 
to a farm south of the citv. The home of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



39" 



Mr. and Mrs. Wetzel has l^een ble.ssed with World. His business connections have 

four children': Addie. Clara. Charles and brought him a very wide acquaintance and 

Sarah M. They reside on East Main street, he is popular by reason of his considerate, 

Mr. Wetzel is a member of the Knights of obliging manner, while those who know 

Pythias fraternity and also holds member- him intimately entertain for him strong 

ship relations with the Woodmen of the friendship. 



THOMAS B. COX. 



Honored and respected by all, there is 
no man in Fairfield county who occupies a 
more enviable position in business circles 
than Thomas B. Cox, not alone on account 
of the brilliant success he has achieved but 
also on account of the honorable, straight- 
forward business policies which he has e\'er 
followed. He possesses untiring energy, is 
quick of perception, forms his plans readily 
and is determined in their execution. It is 
true that he inlierited much property, but in 
cniitrcding this and enlarging his business 
interests he has shown excellent judgment, 
industry and keai sagacity, and his career 
demonstrates the truth of the saying that 
sticcess is not the result of genius but the 
outci/me I if a clear judgment and experience. 

Mr. Cox is numbered among the native 
sons of Fairfield county, his birth having 
occurred in the village of Greencastle on 
the 4th of ]M'arch, 1826. He comes of a 
Scotch-Irish ancestry, although the family 
has long been established in America. His 
father, Thomas B. Cox, was born' in the 
vicinitv of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in 



1797. and in 1807 came with his father, 
James Cox, and the family to Fairfield 
county. The settlement was made near 
Pleasantville and there amid pioneer scenes 
the Cox family underwent ail the hardships 
an-d privations incident to the establishment 
of a home upon the western frontier. 
Thomas B. Cox purchased a large tract of 
land ^yhich was then covered by dense for- 
est, the trees standing in their primeval 
strength. The wi>rk of progress and im- 
provement seaned scarcely begun wheni he 
became a factor in the agricultural interests 
of the commimity, but his efforts were not 
confined alone to this line, his labors prov- 
ing of \-alue to the cmmty in many ways. 
He was a man of large energy, force of 
character and keen sagacity and had great 
conficlaice in the future of Fairfield county 
and in the city of Lancaster, in which he 
spent the later years of his life. .\ part of 
his farm was i>Iatte(l and became what is 
known as the Cox addition to Lancaster. 
There Mr. Cox owned a number of houses 
and at his death he left to his family a large 



392 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



estate, for as the years had advanced he 
made judicious and extensive investments 
in farm and city property. In early man- 
hood he married Miss Elizabeth \'an Pelt, 
and they took up their abode in Green- 
castle, where Mr. Cox conducted a store for 
a number of years. He also operated a tan- 
nery and was well known as a manufacturer 
of leather. His business interests were 
varied .and important and he belonged to 
that class of representative American citi- 
zens who, wliile promoting individual suc- 
cess, also advanced the general prosperity. 
In military affairs he took a great interest 
and was a major in what was known as the 
White Horse Cavalry in the days of 
state militia. In h's political views he was 
a stanch Democrat and was a great admirer 
as Avell as a personal friend of Thomas Ben- 
ton. Thus active in commercial, industrial 
and agricultural interests, in militar}- and 
political circles, he left tlie impress of his 
indixiduality upon the development and im- 
jM-cA-ement of his adopted county, and for 
more tlian sixty years was accounted one 
of its valued citizens. He passed away Jan- 
uary 9. 1871. and his wife died in 1875, in 
her seventy-ninth year. Tlie\- \vere the par- 
ents of four children: William, now de- 
ceased: Thomas B.. of this review: Rich- 
ard: and J. E.. who has also passed away. 
In the \illage schools of Greencastle 
Tluvmas B. Cox liegan his education, which 
he continued in a select school of Lancaster. 
prosecuting his studies for six years and 
thereby winning' that broad mental culture 
and discipline which is the foundation of all 
business success. .After leaving school he 



became superintendent of a grain business 
and also conducted a store in Greencastle. 
In 1857 he established a store in New 
Lexington, Perry county, and while tliere 
was elected a memljer of the city coun- 
cil, in which he served for six years, so 
that he was actively concerned with the 
government and control of that munici- 
pality. In 1865 he removed to Lan- 
caster to take charge of his father's af- 
fairs, and upon his father's death, in 1871, 
he was ap]x>inted administrator of the 
estate, which was valued at one hundred 
and seven thousand dollars. The farms 
comprise fi\e hundred and fifty acres in 
Fairfield county and another fann of one 
hundred and sixty acres in Missouri, which 
is owned by oiir subject. He also owns 
twenty-five lots an<l a number of dwellings 
in Lancaster, which he rents. His own sub- 
stantial brick- residence was erected in 1879 
and is one of the attractive homes of the 
county seat, Ijeing celebrated for its 
gracious hospitality. 

In 1865 Mr. Cox was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Celia R. Ditto, of Perry 
county, Ohio, a daughter of Jacob and 
Mary (King) Ditto. She was born in 
Perry county in 1836 and by her marriage 
has become the mother " of six children, 
namely: Alice C, at home; Virginia, the 
wife of Harry Becker, a prominent dry 
goods merchant: Nellie B., who became the 
wife of Fdw.ird Rolierts, of Daven|x>rt, 
Iowa, where sJie died in 1891 ; Elizabeth, at 
home: Belle F... whiv is also with her par- 
ents: and Thomas I'., who is now foreman 
of Xeeb's ipiarry. of this county, ha\ing 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



jyj 



imder liis supervision about one liundred 
men. 

Althdugh the property and business in- 
terest of ]\Ir. Cox demands much of liis 
time, he has yet found opportunities toi de- 
vote some time to literary matters and is a 
writer of interest and force, his publications 
in some of the principal journals through- 
out Ohio attracting- widespread attention. 



He is also interested in medical rem- 
edies and has compounded a medicine which 
he claims as an infallible cure for rheuma- 
tism. He is a man of scholarly attainments 
and broad general culture, reads widely and 
is well versed on the topics of the day. He 
is courteous and afifable in manner, always 
approachable, and those who' know him per- 
sonally have for him a warm regard. 



DAVID L. BRIGHT. 



DaA'id L. Bright, who follows farming 
■on section 26, Green-field township, was 
Ixjrn May 31, 1858. His father, David 
Bright, was born in Greenfield townshi'p in 
March, 1813. and was a son of a pioneer 
farmer. He operated his father's lanfl until 
his marriage to Miss Arnold. They be- 
■came the ])arents of seven children : Charles: 
James : Samuel : F.mma, who married .\dam 
Fisher, a farmer of Pleasant township; and 
Julia, the wife of William' Spangler, a resi- 
dent fanner of Walnut township. After 
the death of his first wife the father married 
Mrs. Crawford, a widow, whose maiden 
name was Susan Gissell. -By this marriage 
there were two children. John Re1>er and 
David Luther. At the time of his first mar- 
riage David Bright. Sr.. was gi\en a tract 
of woodland bv his father. This he cleare<l 
and soon had a good fann. to A\hich he kept 
adding by purchase from time to time until 



at his death he owned four hundred and 
eighty-six acres of valuable land in the 
homestead place on section 26, Greenfield 
township. This was divided between the 
two sons of his last marriage. He had 
]ire\'iously given to each of his other chil- 
dren one hundred and sixty acres of land, 
and at his death in 1890 he also left a large 
estate in personal property. 

David Luther Bright, whose name in- 
troduces this re\'iew. pursued his education 
in the public schou'ls and early became 
familiar with all the duties and laibors that 
fall to the lot oif the agriculturist. After 
arri\ing at years of maturity he married 
.Almeda Brandt, a daughter of Jacob R. 
Brandt, a farmer, contractor and bridge 
buililer, who was widelv known for his 
engineering ability. The Bii'andt family 
was established in this part of Ohio at an 
early date by representatives of the name 



394 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



who came from Pennsylvania. The mar- of our sul)ject in<licates. liis ancestrrs were 

riage of tnir subject and his wife was cele- sturdy and courageous soltUers of the 

biatetl March 21. 1883, and they have two Reformation. At all times Mr. Bright i.s 

living children. Jacob Leroy and James known as an honorable, straightforward 

Brandt, who are being carefully educated, man. reliable in business as well as enter- 

The parents are members of the English iirising. progressive and perserving in all he 

Lutheran church, and, as the middle name midertakcs. 



GUST AVE A. HAMBERGER. 



In reviewing the life history of Gustave 
A. Hamberger one must yield a tribute of 
re.-pect and admiiation in learning of what 
he has acconnjjlished through his own un- 
aided efforts. Without extraordinary fam- 
ily or pecuniary ad\antages to assist him, 
he lock his place in business life as a humble 
employe, but his is a nature that could not 
content itself without advancing, and grad- 
ually, through earnest purjxDse, unfaltering 
diligence and probity, Mr. Hamberger 
worked his w;iy u])ward until he cxrcupied 
an enviable ]X)sition on the plane of 
affluence. The success which he has 
achieved has made it ])ossible for him to 
now enjiy a well meritcil rest and thus he 
is li\ iiig ill 111 norable retirement at his home 
in Lancaster. 

Gustave Adolph llamlicrger was btjrn 
in Landau. Bavaria. Germany. Decemljer 8, 
1843. T-"'^'^ years later his parents. Bar- 
tholomew and Gertrude (Betzler) Ham- 
berger crossed the .\tlantic t(^ the new world, 
taking up their ab i<lc in L'tica. \ew York. 



where the father died in 1858. leaving the- 
mother with seven children, five sons and 
two daughters, namely: Fannie, who was 
b(;rn in 1837; Sebastian, born in 1839; Jo- 
seph. lK>rn in 1841 : Gustave Adolph. born in 
1843; Frank, who was born in 1846 and 
died in 1856: John, horn in 1840; and 
Annie, bom in 1853. When the Civil war 
bn>ke out Sebastian. Joseph and Gustave A. 
went to the fnmt. and althmigh all suffered 
from w()unds they returned home at the 
close of the w;ir in 1865. The mother long 
sur\ivcd luT husband and ])assed away in 
1884. 

Gustave .\. Hamberger was only five 
years of age when brought by his parents to 
the United States, and in the Christian 
Catholic parochial schools of Utica. New 
York, he began his education, which was 
aftenvard continued in St. John's .\cademy. 
where he com])leted his literary course. Me 
then entere<l upon pre])aration for his busi- 
ness career as an employe in the Globe 
Woolen Mills of Utica. Xew York, where- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



395- 



he remained for four years. Subsequently 
he secured employment in another factory, 
where he remained until after the inaugu- 
ration t^f the Civil war in 1861. 

Mr. Hamberger had watched with in- 
terest the progress of events in the south 
and resolved that if an attempt was made to 
overthrow the Union he would strike a 
blow in its defense. Accordingly at the first 
call for seventy-five thousand men he joined 
the Second New York Hea\y Artillery 
and trok part in the first battle of Bull Run. 
The regiment had been enlisted for two 
years' service and on the expiration of that 
]3eriod he returned home, but as the war 
progressed an<l it seemed doubtful whether 
the Union troops would be victorious, he 
once more offered his services to the gov- 
ernment, enlisting in 1864 as a memlier of 
Company .\, Fifth Regiment, Xew York 
Hea\v Artillery, participating in nineteen 
regular engagements. He was always found 
at his post oi duty, whether in the thickest 
of the fight or on the picket line. On the 
2:?d of June, 1865, he was honorably dis- 
chargetl. He declined to accept a commis- 
sion after being discliarged, as the war was 
o\er. 

Returning to Utica, New York, ^Ir. 
Hamberger was employed as designer in 
the steam woolen mill at that place. In 
September. 1865, he went to Covington, 
Kentucky, to superintend the wnrk nf 
placing in ])osition the machiner_\- in a 
woolen mill in that city. On January 15, 
i8ri6, he came to I^ancaster and put in new 
ni;ichinery in the Olds & Rabb'ts woolen 
mill, remaining here until June, i8Ay, when 



he went to Circleville. Ohio, where he be- 
came superintendent of the Circleville- 
Woolen Mills, occupying that position until 
October, 1869. In that year, owing to ill 
health, he returned to Fairfield county, and 
in March, 1870. purchased a half interest 
in the Somerset Woolen i^Iills of Perry 
county, retaining his connection therewith 
until 1871. During the fall of 1870 he 
established a new woolen mill for Ciladhil! 
& Sons at Mansfield. Ohio, where he re- 
mained until Christmas of that year, when 
he returned to Somerset. In the spring 1 f 
1 87 1 he went to HemJock. ha\-ing previ- 
ously dissolved partnership with Mr. \\\\- 
son at Somerset and leased the Hemlock 
Woden Mill, owned by Stall, Smith & 
Sanders. In the fall of 1871 he opened a 
g'eneral store, which he operated in con- 
nection with the mill, and alsO' bought a half 
interest in a sawmill owned by John Lyons. 
He also became a partner of Rieber. Kutz 
& Ulrich in buying wool, carrying on 
this business at Hemlock, Ohio, with head- 
quarters in Lancaster, but Mr. Hamberger 
had charge of the business in Hemlock. He 
was appointed first postmaster of Hemlock 
in 1872. In the fall of 1872, on account of 
being so far from church and g(/0<l schools, 
he removed to Lancaster, severing all his 
connections in Hemlock. In Lancaster he 
purchased the grocerv store of George W. 
Brock & Comjiany. In May, 187,^, he \)\\r- 
chased a half interest in the Lancaster 
Woolen Mills, becoming a menrher of the 
firm of Mc.Vnespie & Hamberger in the 
manufacture of woolen goods. In 1875 our 
sulijccl in\cntel a peculiar kind i>f lilanket 



396 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



"vvliich was sold to the various state institu- 
tions, being so firm in its texture that it was 
indestrnctable and could not be torn by 
human hands. This blanket had an exten- 
sive sale in different states. This }>artner- 
ship continued seven months, at the end of 
"which time Mr. Mc.Anespie died. Subse- 
quently Mr. Hamberger formed a partner- 
shi]) with the widow, which continued for 
eleven years, the firm being continued under 
the old name. Two months after the first 
partnership was formed the firm sustained 
a heavy loss by the great flood of July, 1873, 
wiiicli was a severe blow. Init through the 
efforts of Mr. Hamlierger the business was 
•continued and success crowned his efforts. 
Soon after he accepted the position and for 
two years was superintendent of the ma- 
•chine dei)artment of the Ohio penitentiary, 
ser\ing under the administrations of Gov- 
ernors Hoadley and Foraker. At the close 
of Governor Hoadley's administration there 
was a re-organ 'zation of the prison system 
of the state, the Democrats being super- 
ceded by Republicans in the various ofifices 
•connected therewith. At this time Mr. 
Hamberger was the f>nly Democrat who re- 
tained his positii>n under the Republican ad- 
ministration, receiving an appointment for 
two more years. This was indeed an honor 
•and a compliment — and one which was well 
deserved, — but at the end of six months, 
because < f business reasons, Mr. Hamberger 
resigned. In Governor Hoadley's rqx>rt re- 
garding the woolen industry in prisons was 
the following: "This granted, then we as- 
•sume that its prosecution with prudence and 
«care should follow. Under the-;e views it 



was apparenrt that an experienced, practical 
superintendent must be selected, one who 
had the capacity to take personal supervis- 
ion of a varied industry of this character 
and manage it with prison lal.-or. Our 
choice fell on Mr. G. A. Hamterger, of 
Lancaster, Ohio, and the wisdom of our 
selection has been proven by the skill and 
ability with which he has sumiounted all 
difficulties and brought his imhistry to a 
business succe.ss." Mr. Hamberger was the 
only superintendent in the state that was 
mentioned in these re])orts. L'nder the 
piece-price ])!an this was the only industry 
in the entire prison that showed a financial 
success. Mr. Haml>erger returned to Lan- 
caster and opened a knitting mill at the 
Boys" Industrial School, entering into a 
contract with the board of directors. At 
times he had in his employ from .seventy- 
five to one hundred and thirty 1x)ys. Here 
he continuefl in active business for nine 
years and then moved his knitting mill to 
Lancaster. He was one of the first to or- 
ganize a company fi>r the sinking of gas 
well No. I, and was largely instrumental in 
securing the subscriptions to meet the ex- 
penses of this unidertaking. \\'hen the well 
had been simk to a depth of two thousand 
feet the money gave out. A meeting was 
held and through the efforts of Mr. Ham- 
berger more was raised and drilling con- 
tinued less than one hundred feet farther, 
when gas was stiuck. It created a great 
deal of excitement at the time, showing that 
the gas belt of this district had Ijeen found. 
Had it not been for the resolution Mr. 
Hamberger offered at a meeting by the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



397 



stoclcholders held in Rising Block, to 
go five hundred feet further, all the money 
would ha\-e been lost anid probably no 
further efforts would have been made, as 
has been the case in other places. Mr. Ham- 
berger has been a most active factor in pro- 
moting manufacturing and industrial inter- 
ests whereby the material prosperity and 
progress of the city has been advanced. At 
the same time he has won for himself a 
handsome competence, so that he is now 
enabled to live retired. 

In the year 1866 Mr. Hamberger was 
united in marriage to Miss Louisa Groff, of 
Lancaster, a daughter of Anthony Groff, an 
early settler and a much respected citizen of 
this place. She was born August 16, 1847, 
and by her marriage became the mother of 
seven children : George A., an electrician, 
at home; Mary Ann, who married Frank 
Russell, foreman of the paint department of 
the Columbus Buggy Company ; Joseph who 
married Miss Fanny Brown and resides in 
Lancaster ; Agnes, who was a twin sister of 
Joseph and became the wife of William 
Keirnan, employed in the Cincinnati & 
MuskinguuT Valley M'achine Shoire; Febia 
Louisa, who married Charles Zimmerman, 
bookkeeper for Reagrm & Connell, of Co- 
lumhus; Leona, at home; and Remple, who 
died in 1896. 

In his political afliliations Mr. Ham- 
berger is a stanch Democrat antl a very 
ardent admirer of William Jennings Bryan. 
He has been most active in promoting cam- 
paign work, in organizing committees, in 
securing funds to meet the necessary ex- 
penses, and when he found that the cam- 



paign funds were short he advanced his in- 
dividual check for one hundred dollars to- 
secure William Jennings Bryan to come to^ 
Lancaster. He was active in arranging for 
and naming the places at which ]\Ir. Bryan 
was to speak during the presidential comt- 
paign of 1896, and labored most earnestly 
and effecti\'ely for the cause in w hich he 
believed. For two years he serxed as a 
member of the city council and his efforts 
were practical and beneficial in behalf of the- 
welfare and improvanent of Lancaster. 
During the discussion in congress of the 
tariff in 1890. before the ways and means 
committee, Mr. Hamberger appeared and 
ably advocated the low. tariff on foreign- 
wool, claiming that it would be beneficial to^ 
all concerned. In the congressional report 
it is stated that Mr. Hamberger appeared 
before the committee in response to the re-^ 
quest of Congressman James H. Outhwait, 
district No. 12, of Ohio, and the statement 
which he made before the committee ap- 
pears in full in the report, being the only 
one out of hundreds that found a place in 
the congressional record. His remarks- 
were so very comprehensive and so con^ 
vincing that the late President McKinley,. 
who was chairman of the committee, or- 
dered the speech published. After its pub- 
lication Mr. Hamberger received a letter 
from F. M. Dyer, of Madison, \\"i.-;consin, 
from which Ave quote as follows: "I have 
read with profit your views delivered before 
the ways and means committee of the fifty- 
first congress, touclnng the duties on wool. 
I write you this for information, as one- 
word from a practical business man carries- 



398 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



more weiglit witli me than volumes of 
sounds from ixMitical Inisiness men. ist. 
From ycur experience in Oliio as a manu- 
facturer do you say tliat .\merican wool is 
dis];laced by imported wool ? 2d. Do the 
larniers derive any benefit from wool duties? 
Would removal of duty on wool increase 
woolen and worsted manufactures? 3d. 
Would removal of duty on wool increase 
demand for American wool? 4th. \\'hat 
is the effect of the McKinley law since its 
incei)tion on wool growing: (2d), manu- 
facturers: and (3d), price of goods to con- 
sumers ? 

"I am aware that I am drawing on you 
without warrant of acquaintance even. My 
apology is that the prominent part that is 
given me in this campaign in Wisconsin 
necessitates the use of facts of weight which 
I think you possess. 

"Respectfully. 

"F. ]\I. Dyer, 
"Madison. Wis." 

Mr. Hamberger re])lied on thirtv-six 
sheets of fo<ilscap paper, closelv written, 
and tiiis reply was printed and distributed 
all o\er tlie state. That year the state went 
Democratic, tlie first time in a long i>eriod. 
giving its su]>port to Grover Clexeland. and 



for .several years under the administrations 
of lx)th f^einiblicans and Democrats Mr. 
Hamberger served as deputy United States 
marshal of the southern district of Ohio, 
comprising forty-four comities, but finally 
resigned on account of the many disagree- 
able features connected with the office. 

Socially he is identified with Butterfield 
Post. Xo. yy. G. A. R., and thus maintains 
pleasant relations with his old army com- 
rades. He served fourteen years as one of 
the soldiers' relief commissioners, whose 
duty it is to look after the wants of the old 
soldiers and orjjhans and widows of soldiers 
in Fairfield county. In everything pertain- 
ing to tlie upbuilding of Lancaster he takes 
an active part aiul is a liberal contributor to 
the enterprises whicli insure its i>rogress. 
He is a self-made man in tlie fullest sense 
of that I fttiiv.es misused term, his prosperity 
in life being due to his indu-try ::nd in- 
tegrity. Fortune has certainly dealt kindly 
with (iu-tave .\. Hamberger. for all bless- 
ings that fail tt> man on earth seem to l)e his. 
His life is a li\ing illustration of what abil- 
ity, energy and force of character can ac- 
complish. It is to such men tiiat the west 
owes its ]ir()sperity. its rapid progress and 
its advancement. 



THOMAS S. PRATT. 

History is no longer a record of wars comu'ercial activity. It chronicles advaiice- 

and con(|uests. of military invasion or ment in l-.usiness. science and art. and each 

sanguine victories, but is the account of comiriniity owes its upbuilding m>t to one 

progress made along lines of industrial and i)erson aloaie but to tlie combined efforts of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



399 



main- citizens. es])ecially to tlmse wlio are 
Cwiinccted with commercial interests. Of 
tlie last class Mr. Pratt is a representative, 
dealing in confectioner}- and fruit and con- 
ducting- a gocd restaurant in Lancaster. 
He represents one of the old families of 
Fairfield county and his hirth occurred in 
this city July 12. 1847. His father. George 
\\'. Pratt, was Ix^rn at Culi>ei)er Court 
House, \'irginia. in 1820, and at the ])lace 
of his nativity grew to manho'od, receiving 
hut meagre educational privijeges. In 1844 
he came to Fairfield county, making the 
journey on foot. He had previously learned 
the tanner's trade with his hrcther, James 
I\[. Pratt, and after taking up his ahiide in 
this coiuity he engaged in the tanning husi- 
ness as a partner of his hnther. For a 
numher of years they successfully manufac- 
tured leather, conducting their enterjM'ise 
until 1S84. when the father retired from 
Inisiness and S(X)n afterward was called to 
his final rest. His wife bore the maiden 
name of Angeline Caldwell, and was horn, 
reared and educated in Rushville, Fairfield 
■ci.unty. Her parents, David and Mary 
(Botts) Caldwell, were early settlers of the 
county, removing from Mar^-lancl and Penn- 
s_\-lvania respectively and IjecoiTiiing resi- 
dents of the Buckeye state at an early day. 
Mrs. Caldwell is still living, occupying the 
old homestead in Lancaster. Her husband 
was f( r many years a member of the city 
council and was a Master Mason. The 
l)aternal grandfather of our sulyject wa.'^ 
Benjamin Pratt, a native of Virginia. 
David Pratt and his wife became the par- 
ents of the following children : Thomas S., 



of this review; .\nna. a widow: Caroline, 
the wife of Dr. Reed, of Battle Creek, 
Michigan: Elizabeth, who married Amos 
Flood, of Lancaster; Emma, who is the 
wife of D. Picket and resides at Columbus, 
Ohio; and Charles F., a resident of Union 
City, Indiana. 

In taking up the personal history of 
Thomas S. Pratt we present to our readers 
the life record of one widely and favorably 
known in Fairfield county. Ii-i retrospect 
one can see him as a schoolboy mastering 
the branches of learning taught in the 
schools of Lancaster. Having completed 
his literar\- education he learned the trade 
of a tanner with his father and continued to 
follow that business for ten years. On the 
completion of the decade he went into the 
coal regions and for ten years was employed 
in a store owned by a coal company. His 
next place of residence was Xew Straits- 
ville. and later he returned to Lancaster, 
where he established his restaurant, con- 
fectionery and fruit store, beginning his 
business in 1893 in the .Martin bli:ck. Here 
he has since conducted his estal>lishnient. 
finding that reliable business methods, 
reasonable prices and an earnest desire to 
please are jtotent elements for success. 
These qualities haxe enabled him to enjov a 
constantly increasing patronage and he now 
has a large trade. 

On the 16th of January, 1878. was cele- 
brated the marriage of Mr. Pratt and M'iss 
Ella C. Friend, of Hocking ci unt\-. Oliio. a 
daughter of Samii)son and {'".hira h'riend. 
They have one son. Henry fi.. who is em- 
ployed as a telegraph op-erator at Bechtol, 



400 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Ohio. Our subject and his wife hold mem- 
bership relations in the ^Methodist Episcopal 
church, and he Ijelongs to New Straitsville 
Lodge, Xo. 484. F. & A. M.. and the 
Knights of Pythias lodge of the same place. 
He is also a representative of the Benevo- 
lent & Protective Order of Elks and in 
politics is a Republican, but while he keeps 



well informed on the issues and questions of 
the day he has never sought or desired 
office, preferring to give his entire time and 
attention to his business afifairs. his career 
proving that close application and a laud- 
able ambition will do much toward winning 
a jjosition of the topmost rounds of the lad- 
der of success. 



THE BAUMGARDNER FAMILY. 



In the land of the Alps in the early part 
of the nineteenth century lived two young 
people, Jacob Baumgardner and Maria Em- 
hoff. who were destined to figure promi- 
nently in the pioneer history of Fairfield 
comity as early settlers of this part of the 
state and as founders of a family that has 
figured largely in promoting the material 
progress and the educational and moral ad- 
vancement of this portion of Ohio. Upon 
one of the westwardbound sailing vessels 
which left Europe in 181 7 the^e young 
people were numbered among the passen- 
gers. They crossed the Atlantic in com- 
pany with Johonn Emhofif and his family, 
consisting of his wife, Fanny, his son John 
and the other daughters Barbara and Fanny. 
They had previously lived in Arisdorf, in 
the canton of Basil, Switzerland, but the 
father believed that he might better his con- 
dition in the new world and provide better 
opportunities for his children. Therefore he 
came to America. The youngest daughter 



was thai the affianced bride of Jacob Baum- 
gardner, who accompanied the family oa 
the emigration. The conditions of a sea 
voyage at that time were very different from; 
those of the present day. In the slow sail- 
ing vessels it required weeks and sometimes 
months to cross the Atlantic antl the vessel 
upon which the party started encountered 
some very severe weather. Great grief also 
came to them in the loss of the husband and 
father, who died while at sea and was buried 
l>eneath the waves of the Atlantic. At 
length, however, the other members of the 
party arri\ed safely at Philadelphia. Penn- 
sylvania. There the family separated, the 
son, John Emhoff, going to New Orleans, 
where he located, making his home there 
until his death. The daughter Barbara 
went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she became 
the wife of John Sayler and spent her re- 
maining days. The other daughter. Fanny. 
Ijecame a resident of Baltimore. Maryland, 
where she was married to a Mr. Bussart, bv 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



401 



whom she had a daughter, Nancy, who be- 
came the wife of Noah Ream. Mrs. Buss- 
art remained a resident of Baltimore, Mary- 
land, until called to her final rest. The 
youngest daughter of the family, Maria Em- 
hoff, and her affianced husband, Jacob 
Baumgardner, came to Fairfield county, 
Ohio, settling in the vicinity of Basil, and 
here o« the ist of December, 1817, they 
were united in marriage by Justice Adam 
Weaver. 

The domestic life of the 3'oung couple 
was begun on a farm about two and one- 
half miles south of Baltimore, Ohio. They 
Avere worthy and honored pioneer people of 
the neighborhood, taking an active and help- 
ful part in the work of improvement and 
progress as Fairfield county emerged from 
primitive conditions to take its place among 
the leading counties of this great commoriH 
wealth. In the midst of the forest Mr. 
Baumgardner developed a farm, cutting 
away* the trees and preparing the land for 
cultivation and then engaging in the tilling 
of the soil. Hie used the crude farm im- 
plements which were known in that day 
and which made farm labor a more difficult 
and arduous task than at the present, but 
with characteristic eniergy and perseverance 
he continued his work until his land became 
very productive and brought to him a grati- 
fying income as the result of his labor. It 
was uixin this farm that he and his wife 
reared their family of eight children, four 
sons and four daughters, namely : Eliza- 
beth, Mary, John, Lydia, Solomon, Sary, 
Henry and Jacob. All reached years of ma- 
turity, were married and had families of 

their own. They took an active ]Kirt in 
22 



transfonning the coimtry into fine farms 
and thus made the name of "Fairfield" one 
well merited in this section of the state. 

Jacob Baumgardner, the husband and 
father, died on the 15th of October, 1829, 
in the thirty-eighth year of his age. The 
widowed mother then continued to live with 
the children upon the old home place until 
April, 1 83 1, when she was again married, 
becoming the wife of Benjamin Caley, at 
which time she went to the home of Mr. 
Caley, about four miles south of the city of 
Lancaster, in Berne township. She was ac- 
companied by all of the children by the first 
marriage with the exception O'f Elizabeth, 
the eldest daughter, who went to live with 
a family of the name of Heistand, and 
John, the eldest son, who resided with a. 
family by the name of Schaefer. By the- 
secontl marriage there were born two chil- 
dren : Rosan and George Washington 
Caley. The different members of the fam- 
ily continued to live upon the Caley farm 
imtil tliey married an<l went tO' homes of 
their own. Again the Inusband and father 
was removed by death from the household 
and the mother left a widow. For some- 
time she continued to live upon the famr 
with her son, Solomon Baumgardner, who 
succeeded her in the ownership of the prop- 
erty, and afterward she made her home with 
her daughter, Mrs. Rosan (Caley) AVilson-, 
until she was called to her final rest on the 
15th of December. 1S75. wliei-i she liad 
reached the advanced age of eightv-one 
years. Thus passed away one of the 
esteemed pioneer women of Fairfield cotnin- 
ty. Much has been written abcut the ]>io- 
neer men wlm have pushed their wav for- 



402 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ward into the wilderness of the west and 
tiiere developed farms or ])lanted industries 
which have promoted the material prosper- 
ity and iiplniilding of the localities with 
which they became connected ; less has 
i>een said about the pioneer women, but 
their part is no less important because their 
work is of a more quiet nature. Tliey have 
pcrfi rnicd the duties of the household and 
lia\e reared the children who have become 
the valued citizens of the later generation. 
Mrs. Caley certainly deserved great credit 
for what she accomplished. Carling for the 
little home upon the frontier, she was de- 
voted to her family and as the result of 
her careful guidance and earnest efforts in 
belialf of her children they became men aud 
women of strong character, of sterling pur- 
pose and of u])right lives. 

Solomon Baumgardner was only about 
•.seven years of age when he took up his 
abode upon the farm which is yet his home. 
Here he has lived continuously since April, 
iS^i. He was educated in the schools of 
the locality and in his youth bore his part 
in the work of developing and improving 
the old homestead, early becoming familiar 
with the labors of field and meadow. After 
arri\ing at \ears of maturity he sought a 
companion and helpmeet for life's journey 
and was joined in wedlock to Rebecca Swar- 
ner. a daughter of John and Rebecca (Bix- 
ler) Swarner, the marriage ceremony being 
])erfi rmed on the 24th of- February. 1852, 
by the Rev. John W'agenhals. Ten sons and 
■one daughter were l>orn of this union, 
namely: Jolm Swarner. Franklin Pierce, 
\\'il1iam llem-y, Soloim n. Jr.. George 
AV'ashington. Jacob Adam. Mary Rebecca, 



Albert. I-'rederick Horn, Edward and Find- 
ley May. All of the children, together with 
the parents, are yet living, so that the fam- 
ily circle remains unbroken bv the hand nf 
death. Oil the 24th of Fel;ruary. 1902, 
Solomon Raumgardner and his estimable 
wife celebrated their liftieth. or golden, wed- 
ding anniversary and had the distinction 
and pleasure of seeing all of their children 
and grandchildren present at the home 
place on that joyous occasion:. It is a fact 
worthy of note that so large a family found 
it ])ossible to all meet together again. The 
Baumgardners come of a hardv, long-lived 
stock, four generations of them now living, 
and they are characterized by a sturdy in- 
tegrity. Christian principles and by tem- 
perance, industry and thrift. They occupy 
leading positions in their chosen walks of 
life and are of the noblest tyjje of citizen- 
ship in this country. Of the descendants of 
Jacob and Maria ( l-lmhotl) r.aiungardner 
there arc li\ing five children, forty-eight 
grandchildren. se\enty-seven great-grand- 
children and thirty-live great-great-grand- 
children, while five children, twenty grand- 
children, fifteen great-grandchildren anil 
three great-great-grandchildren are de- 
ceased, making a total of two hundred and 
eight descendants. The family name is in- 
separably interwoven with the history of 
Fairfield county through eighty-five years 
aud the reci rd is one of which any family 
might be jjrnud. for fearless in conduct, 
honorable in business aiul stainless in char- 
acter the representatives of the name liave 
always been active in promoting the wel- 
fare of this section of ()lii(i along lines, of 
material, intellectual and moral progress. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



403 



JAMES T. PICKERING. 



James T. Pickering is well known as an 
attorney at law, practicing" at the liar of Lan- 
caster, and also is the postmaster of that city. 
In a profession where distinctinn is won 
throngh individual merit he has gaineil an en- 
viable standing and in public office his loyalty 
to duty has won for him high encomiums 
from his fellow townsmen. He lias a wide 
acrjuaintance througlnuit Fairfield county, 
for he is one of her native sons and has spent 
his entire life here, his birth having occur- 
red on the 7th of June. 1858. Far back for 
many generations the ancestral hi?toi;y can 
l)e traced. The family is of English lineage 
and was founded in America -by William 
Pickering in early colonial days. The great- 
grandparents oif our subject were .\braham 
and .Ann Pickering, who resided in Rock- 
ingham, A'irginia. whence they emigrated 
westward in 1806, taking up their abode in 
Fairfield county, Ohio. They br( ugiit with 
them their little son, James Pickering, wh<> 
was then but six years of age. His birth 
had occurred in Rockingham C( unty in i8oo 
and amid the wild scenes of frontier life in 
the Buckeye state he was reared to man- 
hood. When he had attained the adult age 
he married Catherine ^^'illiams an 1 took up 
his abode in \'iolet township. Fairfield 
count}", where he carried on general farm- 
ing and stock-raising. \\''ith the passing 
years his financial resources increased, his 
labi rs in fields and meadnws bringing to him 
goofl returns. Bv his marriage he had four 
sons and a daughter, namelv : Jacob, La- 
fayette, Joseph, James and Elizabeth. 

Of this number Jacob Pickering was the 



father oi our subject and his birth occurred 
in \'iolet township, Fairfield county, in 
1827. The work of the farm early became 
familiar to him and the pulilic schools of 
the neighborhood afforded him his educa- 
tional privileges. He married Samantha 
Ford, who was born in the same township, 
Alay I, 182G, a daughter of Philip and 
Xancy (Callahan) Ford. The great-grand- 
father on the mother's side was the Rev. 
George Callahan, one of the pioneer preach- 
ers, who rode the circuit in the early days, 
preaching in school houses, in dwellings and 
in forests, wherever the people woukl con- 
gregate to hear the gosjiel tidings. The 
other great-grandfather on the maternal 
side was John Ford, who removed from the 
\alley of Fredericksburg, Virginia, to Fair- 
fielil cr;unty, Oliioi, and settled in A'iolet 
township in 1806. By the marriage of Mr. 
Pickering- and Samantha Ford four children 
were born, of whom three are yet living, 
namely: Jennie F., the wife of Charles E. 
.\1_\", of I,ancaster ; Jrunes T., of this re\'iew ; 
and Ella S., wlio is a teacher in the high 
scIkjoIs of Lancaster. In his earl\- ](ilitical 
views the father was a De.rocrat, being 
identified with that party until the organiza- 
tion iif tlie Republican part\, when he joined 
its ranks, continuing to give it his support 
until his death, which occurred oui the 3d of 
June, 1880. His wife still survives him and 
is now lix'ing in I-ancaster. 

Jannes T. Pickering, whose name intro- 
duces this review, was reared in tlic usual 
manner of farmer lads of that period, work- 
ing in the fields and meacknvs and receiving 



404 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his mental discipline in district schools, 
which he attended Ijetween the ages of six 
and sixteen years. He then accompanied 
his parents in their removal tn Delaware, 
Ohio, and became a student in the high 
school of that city, and when his further 
educational training had preixired him for 
a collegiate course he entered the Ohio 
Wesleyan University at Delaware, in which 
institution he was graduated with the class 
of 1883. After his graduation he engaged 
in teaching school for three years and in the 
meantime took up the study of law. which 
he diligently pursued for two years, being 
admitted to the bar before the supreme court 
of Columbus in 1888. In 1890 he formed 
a partnership with his brother, C. C. Pick- 
ering, under the firm name of Pickering & 
Pickering, and began a general practice of 
law. which he has continued up to the pres- 
ent time. His reputation as a lawyer has 
been won through earnest, honest labor, and 
his standing at the bar is a merited tribute 
to his ability. He now has a very large 
practice, and his careful preparation of 
cases is supplenrented by a i)ower of argu- 
ment and forceful presentation of his points 
in the court rooni. so that he seldom fails to 
gain the verdict desired. 



In 1895 ^^■'- Pickering was married to 
Miss Jessie D. Chaney, of Cincinnati. Ohio, 
a daughter of William and Eleanor (Har- 
sha) Chaney. This union has been blessed 
with two children : Eleanor C. and Dor- 
othy. The parents are acceptable member's 
of the Methodist Episcopal church, taking 
an active interest in all that tends to ad- 
vance the work and e.xtend the influence of 
tlie churcli. l-'raternally Mr. Pickering is 
connected with Lancaster Lodge. No. 57,, 
F. & A. M., and has also taken the degrees 
of tJie chapter. In his political views he has 
e\er been a stalwart Republican, and having 
made a close study of the questions and 
issues of the day he has ability to support 
his position by intelligent arguments. In 
July. 1898, he was appointed by President 
McKinley to the position of postmaster of 
Lancaster and is still serving, his admin- 
istration of the affairs of the office being 
such as to win him high commendation. He 
has a pnblic-spirited interest in all that per- 
tains to general progress and imi)rovement. 
and his entire freedom from self-laudation 
or ostentation has made him one of the most 
popular residents of Fairfield county, with 
wliose history he has now been long and 
prominently identified. 




SAMUEL REAM 



HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



SAMUEL REAM. 



Samuel Ream is well known throug-hout 
Perry county as a farmer, stock dealer and 
banker and his business interests have been 
■of marked benefit to the community, his ac- 
tivity not only contributing to his individ- 
ual success but also proving an active factor 
in the development of the city. Through- 
out his entire career he has been known for 
his sterling rectitude of character and his 
unquestioned integrity. He was born in 
1829, in Clayton township, and is a son of 
"William and Eliza (McClure) Ream. His 
paternal grandfather, Samuel Reami. became 
one of the pioneer settlers of Perry county, 
arriving here in 1801 in compan_\- with two 
brothers who removed from Reamstown. 
Pennsylvania. He married Rachel King, a 
sister of the late Judge Thomas King, the 
first representative of Perry county in the 
Ohio state legislature. Among their chil- 
dren were William Ream, the father of our 
subject ; Andrew : David ; and S. K. Ream. 
Tlie last named married Maria Ritchey, a 
daughter of the Hon. Thomas Ritchey, a 



member of congress. William Ream, the 
father of our subject, was united in mar- 
riage to Eliza McCIure, a daughter of James 
McClure, of Delaware county, Ohio, and a 
sister of Dr. William MtClure, wlio died in 
Somerset in 1832. David Ream served as 
county commissioner at one time, being 
elected on the Republican ticket, although 
the coimty was strongly Democratic. The 
children of the parents of our subject were : 
David, who is a resident farmer of Reading 
township; William M., a resident of To- 
peka, Kansas: John E., who is also living in 
Reading tO'wnship ; and Sanuiel. 

Samuel Ream, whose name introduces 
this review, was reared upon the old family 
]ii;mestead in Perry county, and during his. 
entire life he has been connected with agri- 
cultural pursuits. Pie has also Ijeen engaged 
in stock-rai^ng and he oavns several farms 
in Perry county, all of which are well stocked 
with cattle and sheep. He has been a gen- 
eral breeder, being especially active along 
that line while li\-ing upun his farm in 



4o8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Reading townsliip. In 1874 lie remo\-ed to 
Somerset and erected the finest residence in 
tlie town. He then turned liis attention to 
the milling business, which he followed in 
connection with Noah Karr for about four 
years. Other business interests which he 
has in Somerset closely connect him with 
conmiercial and banking interests. Since 
1891 he has 1)een the president of the Som- 
erset Bank, and under the guidance of Mr. 
Ream and his son. who is acting as cashier, 
this bank has become one of the leading 
banking institutions in the county. 

In 1859 Mr. Ream was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Sarah E. Brown, a daughter 
of the late Judge William M. Brown, of 
Perry cinmty. On the maternal side she 
is a granildaughter of Thomas McXaugh- 
ton, of Fairfield county. Oliio. who filled the 
office? of justice of the peace and county 
commis.sioner. Williant Brown, the pater- 
nal gradfather. married Sarah McXaugh- 
ton. They emigrated from Ireland to the 
new world. The children of this marriage 
were William: David; Robert, who is well 
remembered in Perry county: Sallie: Eliza- 
beth: and Margaret. Sallie is the wife of 
.\bram Yost and Elizabeth is the wife of 
John ^"ost, both residing in Perry county. 
Will;im Brown, the father of Judge Williain 
Brown, was married in Pennsylvania to 
Sarah M. Leer, whose father was one of the 
hen)es who fought at Bunker Hill. In 1835 
the Brown family removed from Painsyl- 
vania to Thorn township. Perry county. 
Judge Brown filled the office of probate 
judge of Perry county from 1849 ""*•' i'^53- 
He was one c f the prominent antl influential 



citizens of the community and his death 
occurred near Somerset. His brother Rol>- 
ert was a teacher for many years and also^ 
served as comity auditor. 

In 1881 Mr. Ream was called upon to 
mourn the loss of his wife, who died in that 
year, leaving two children. Owen B. and 
Luke S.. who died in 1887. Mrs. Ream 
was universally esteemed, for she was a lady 
lX)ssessing many excellent traits of char- 
acter. The elder son, Owen B.. is now 
cashier of the Somerset Bank. He w^s- 
born, reared and educated in Perry ctnr.ity, 
and married Miss Anna Law, of this county, 
a daughter of Samuel Law and a grand- 
daughter of Colonel John Law. i>f Reading 
township. They now ha\e one child, Stella. 
O. B. Ream established a drug business in 
Somerset in 1882 and is still connected with 
that enterprise. He is a very prominent 
Mason, having become a member of the 
loilge, cha])ter and commandery. while in 
the Scottish Rite he has attained the thirty- 
second degree and is also a member of the 
Mystic Shrine. In 1887 Mr. Ream, the sub- 
ject of this review, was again married, his 
second union being with Miss Flora Mohler, 
a daughter of O'. T. and Jane (Huston) 
Mohler, of Somerset. Sanniel Ream is one 
of the I Id residents of the county ami well 
may be classed among the honored pioneers 
By i)erseverance. determinatioi and honJ 
orable effort he has overcome the obstacles 
which barred his path to success and reached 
the goal of prosperity. His life has lieen 
one of continuous activity, in which has 
been accorded due recognition of lalx)r, so 
that to-day he is numbered among the sub- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



409 



stantial citizens of the community. He is liigli measure tlie respect of his fellow 
a man of genuine worth and throughout townsmen. .Sucii men as Mr. Ream may 
a long and useful career has enjoyed in a well be termed rejjresentative citizens. 



GEORGE T. DRAKE. 



George T. Drake, who is now acceptably 
and capably serving as iwstmaster of Corn- 
ing, has for a numl.)er of years Ijeeii in the 
public service and has e\er been found re- 
liable, prompt and faithful. He is a native 
of Morgan county, Ohio, his birth having 
occurred in Penns\-ille. He is a re])resenta- 
tive of one of the pioneer families of the 
state. His paternal grandfather, James 
\\'atts Drake, was a native of Virginia and 
in the year 1812 emigrated westward, tak- 
ing up his residence in Belmimt county, 
Ohio, whence he removed to Morgan coun- 
tv in 1832. His remaining days were spent 
in this state, and in 1895, ^t the advanced 
age of eighty-nine years, he was called to 
his final rest. 

Francis \\'. Drake, the father of our 
subject, was jjorn January 20. 1833. upon 
the old family homestead in iM organ c<iun- 
tv and was a resident of his native county 
until 1881, when he came to Coming, where 
he still resides. He was a contractor and 
builder, but abandoned that pursuit to en- 
ter ujun the duties of postmaster, to which 
jxisition he was appointed by President Har- 
riscjn. He is now engaged in the grocer)' 



business and is one of the enter])rising and 
successful merchants of this place. He has 
led an acti\'e ami useful life, and has not 
only successfully conducted his business af- 
fairs but has been a prominent factor in 
public life in his locality. For many years 
he ha,s served on the city coimcil and put 
forth strong effort to advance the welfare 
and substantial upbuilding of his town. He 
married Adeline Holt, a daughter of Joab 
and Elizabeth Holt, who removed from 
Harper's Ferry, Virginia, tO' Morgan cimn- 
ty, Ohio, in 1850. Mrs. Drake died jNIay 9, 
1884. She was a native of Harpers Ferry. 
George T. Drake began his education 
in the public schools and is a graduate of 
the high school of Corning of the class of 
1800. In April of that year, one month 
prior to his graduation, he took the civil 
ser\'ice examination for railway mail clerk 
and of the manv who took the examination 
at the same time be stood highest. During 
the following August he entered upon his 
duties as sul>stitute clerk on the route from 
Corning tO' Columbus. He also substituted 
on \arious other runs and was in tlie Colum- 
bus postoflice for a time until he was per- 



4IO 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nianently appr-inted on tlie limited mail run 
between Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and St. 
Louis, Missouri. In April. 1893, he re- 
signed from the service and until 1897 was 
engaged in teaching school in the Corning 
special district. Wliile teaching he took a 
prominent \^3.Y^ in educational matters, be- 
ing at that time a meml>er of the county 
e.xecutive committee, and has ever since been 
interested in educational affairs. 

Since 1894 Mr. Drake has been a prom- 
inent factor in his county's ]x>litics and from 

1896 has been on the stump in various cam- 
paigns. As a debater and sjieech maker he 
has an enviable record. From 1895 until 

1897 he ser\e(l as clerk of Monroe township. 



In the latter year he ^vas apjjointed post- 
master of Coming by President McKinley 
and was re-appointed by President Roose- 
velt, so that he is now ser\-ing his second 
temi and the affairs of the office are ably 
conducted under his capable management. 
In the fall of 1897 he established a news- 
paper, the Breeze, in partnership with La- 
Bert Davie, but sold his interest to Mr. 
Davie in 1901. He has long been a prom- 
inent Republican of Perry county, doing all 
in his power to secure i>olitical successes 
along that line. He has served on the coun- 
ty executive committee and is now serving 
as a member of the congressional committee 
of the ele\cnth Ohio district. 



HON. THOMAS D. BINCKLEY. 



Hon. Thomas D. Binckley is actively 
connected with the profession which has im- 
mediate bearing upon the progress and 
stable prosperity of any section or com- 
munity and one which has long been con- 
sidered as serving the public welfare by 
furthering the ends of justice and maintain- 
ing individual rights. I lis reputation as a 
lawyer has been won through earnest, hon- 
est etYort and liis standing at the bar is a 
merited tribute to his ability. He is yet a 
young man, but has gained a reputation 
which many an older practitioner might well 
einy. He is also prominent in political af- 



fairs and at the present -time is serving as 
a representative in the state legislature. 

As early as the second decade in the 
nineteenth century the name of Binckley 
figured in connection with official service in 
this county. Adam Binckley, the great- 
grandfather of our subject, settled in this 
county about 1797 and when the country be- 
came involved in tiie second war with 
England he joined the army, in which he 
served in the rank of major. He became 
a leading and influential resident in this 
lx>rtion of the state and filled the office of 
county ci>mmissioner in 1819 and i8jo, be- 




T. D. BINCKLEY 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



411 



ing one of the first to hold that office. 
Farther back than this, however, can the 
ancestiy of our subject be traced, for Adam 
Binckley was a son of Christian Binckley. 
one of the lieroes of the Re\-ohitionary war 
who entered the army either from Pennsyl- 
vania or Maryland. David Binckley, the 
grandfather of our subject, was born in 
Reading township. Perry county, and amid 
the wild scenes of frontier life was reared. 
He assisted in the work of improvement and 
progress here and aided in laying broad and 
deep the foundation for the present devel- 
•opment. 

James K. Binckley, the father of our 
subject, was born on a farm in Reading 
township, on which the birth of his son 
Thomas occurred. When the country be- 
•came involved in Civil war he manifested 
the characteristic loyalty of the family by 
joining Company K, of the One Hundred 
Twenty-sixth Ohio Infantry, although he 
was quite young. He died in 187 1, when 
only twenty-four years of age. His wife 
bore the maiden name of Sedora J. Whitter 
and was a daughter of Thomas Whitter, 
who came to Perry county, Ohio, from 
Maryland at a \ery early day and died here 
at an advanced age. The Binckley family 
has been identified with the Lutheran 
church in religious faith and in politics its 
members have been Whigs, Democrats and 
Republicans. 

Hon. T. D. Binckley of this review was 
born on the old family homestead in Read- 
ing township, Perry county, April 5, 1869, 
and in public schools of that locality he 
pursued his education. He afterward en- 
gaged in teaching school for five years in 



Perry count}-, and then took up the study 
of law with the determii nation of making 
its practice his life work. He was admitted 
to the bar in 1896 at Ada, Ohio, after at- 
tending the Ohio Normal University, 
where he had pursued the law course. Im- 
mediately afterward he established an office 
in New Lexington, where he has since re- 
mained and as the years have passed he has 
gained a large clientage. Since 1897 he 
has served as city solicitor of New Lexing- 
ton, three times re-elected tO' that position 
and on the 15th of March, 1898, he entered 
the Ohio National Guard as the captain of 
Company A, Seventeenth Regiment, which 
became the Seventh Ohio Regiment at the 
time of the Spanish-American war. Mr. 
Binckley commanded the company through- 
out its service. It was called out on the 
26th of April, 1898, was mustered into the 
L'nited States service on the 13th of May 
and was stationed at the camps at Colum- 
bus, at Camp Alger, Virginia, at Falls 
Church, Virginia, and at Camp Meade, 
Pennsylvania, did provost guard duty at 
Falls Church, Virginia. The Captain was 
detailed as recruiting officer foT the Second 
Battalion on the 8th of June, 1898, and re- 
cruited one huiulred and twenty-fi\-e mai at 
Dennison, New Lexington, Ulrichville and 
Newark, Ohio. On the 6th of Noveml>er, 
189S, with his command he was mustered 
out. 

Mr. Binckle\- was married in 1898 to 
Miss Nell M. Jackson, a granddaughter of 
William Jackson, of Somerset, Ohio'. who 
located there at a very early day, coming 
to this state from Maryland. Two children 
ha\-e been born unto the Caiitain and his 



412 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



wife: Dorothy Cecelia and James Roose- 
velt. 

In his political affiliations Captain Binck- 
ley has Jthvays been a Reiniblican and is 
recognized as a leading member and worker 
in his party in this portion of Ohio. He re- 
ceived the nomination of his party for state 
repre.sentJitive in 1901 and in November of 
that year was elected to the office l)v an un- 
usually large majority. He is now serving 
and his course is one that has gained com- 
mendation from manv of the residents of 



this portion of the state. He gives to each 
question which comes up for settlanent his 
earnest consideration and is unfaltering in 
his sujjport of what he l>elieves to l)e right. 
In the iiractice of law he has gained a cli- 
entage of an extensive and im])ortant char- 
acter. He prepares his cases with great 
thoroughness and care and his legal learn- 
ing, his analytical mind and the readiness 
with whicii he grasps the ])oint in an argu- 
ment all combine to make him one of the 
capable lawyers of the PerrA' county bar. 



REV. SAMUEL C. TUSSING. 



For half a century the Rev. Samuel 
Clevenger Tussing has been a potent factor 
in the moral development of this jwrtion of 
the state, f lis influence has been of no re- 
stricted order. He came to the countv in 
1850, locating first in Monday Creek t(»wn- 
ship. and six years later he entered the min- 
istry of the liaptist church. Although in 
recent years he has accepted no regular pas- 
torate he has continued his active interests 
in chnrcli wmk and his efforts have proved 
most benclicial in augmenting the nmral de- 
velopment of this community. 

Mr. Tussing is a native of Franklin 
county. ()liii\ his birth having occurred in 
Patterson townshi]). .\pril _'S. iS_>8. He is 
a .s(jn of Xicholas and Margaret Tussing 
and the former was Ixirn in Pennsylvania 
in 1779. At the age of four years he went 



to Rockingham cmuity, X'irginia, with his 
parents, the year of their removal being 
3783. There he was reared and about 1812 
he went to Franklin county, Ohio. He had 
previously entered a quarter section of land 
there in 1809 and clearing and improving 
this he transformed it into a gootl farm. 
upon which he reared his family. He was 
married in l-'ranklin county, but his wife 
died six months later and for his secoml 
wife be chose Miss Margaret Switzer. a 
native of Switzerland. Xicholas Tu.ssing 
died at the age of seventy-two years, while 
the mother of our siubject passed away at 
the age of sixty-four years. They were 
both consistent Chri.stian people, holding 
membership in the Baptist church. In their 
family were seven children: John, who 
died in Lima, Ohio: Jacob, who died near 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



413. 



Winchester, Ohio; George X.. who is a 
Baptist minister and lives at Bullitt Park, 
Columbus, Ohio: Christine, who is the wife 
of George N. Harris, a resident of Fort 
Dodge, Iowa; Samuel, of this review; 
Adam, who died in Fairfield county. Ohio; 
and Philip C, who made his home in Win- 
chester, this state, Init died in Florida. 

Rev. Samuel C. Tussing, whose name 
introduces this review, pursued his educa- 
tion in the public schools of his native coun- 
ty and through reading and study outside 
of the schoolroom. In April, 1850, he was 
united in the holy bonds of matrimony to 
Aliss Juliet Marlow, of Alonday Creek 
township, Perry county, a daughter of Han- 
son and Margaret ( Holmes) Marlow. Her 
parents removed to Monday Creek towiD- 
ship in 1838, when Mrs. Tussing was six 
years of age, coming to this state from 
Warren county, Virginia, although they 
lived for a time in \\'est Virginia, ^iv. 
Alarlow became a leading and influential 
citizen here, and his worth and aliiHty being 
recognized h\ his fellow townsmen, he was 
called to public office. He servetl for six 
years, covering two terms, as coimty com- 
missioner and for some time was town- 
ship trustee. He died in 1881 at the age 
of seventy-eight years, his birth having oc- 
curred on the 4th of July, 1803. Mrs, Mar- 
low died in 1870 at the age of sixty-four 
years. ^Ir. ^larlow was a man of great 
business cajjacity, was frugal and imlus- 
triiius, honorable and reliable and was a 
man of strong Christian character. He be- 
came one of the fi\'e charter members of 
the Ebenezer Baptist church. His wife, 
who jirece led him to the In. me prepared for 



the righteous, also possessed a strong re- 
ligious nature and was a most able and 
faithful assistant to her husband. Her 
home was celebrated for its gracieais and 
sincere hospitality. She found great delight 
in attending church service and Suiiday after- 
Sunday she heard with the greatest pleas- 
ure the preaching of her son. the Rev. \\ ill- 
iam W. Marlow, and her son-in-law. the 
Rev. Samuel C. Tussing. She was an af- 
fectionate wife and mother and the influ- 
ence of her life is yet felt l)y all who knew 
her. 

Unto ]Mr. and Mrs. Tussing have been 
born two children : Lawson Aquilla, horn- 
in Moaiday Creek township, Perry county, 
is now an attorney at law in New Lexing- 
ton and a very prominent and influential 
citizen. He was educated here, also in Den- 
nison University and in (ireeneville, Ohio, 
and in 1877 at Zanesville, this state, was ad- 
mitted to the bar. since which time he has 
been an active practitioner in Perry county, 
having attained a large and impurtant cli- 
entage, which connects him with n-iuch of 
the litigation tried in the courts of his dis- 
trict. He is a Democrat in his politics and 
takes a very active interest in pul)lic affairs, 
haviiig served as ma_\-or id' Xew Lexington 
from 1878 until i88j. In early manhood he 
engaged in teaching school for four years, 
being superintendent of the Shawnee schools 
for three years. He n-iarried Miss Augusta 
.\chaner. a daughter of J. J. Acbancr. of 
Xew Straitsville. who came frum Mus- 
kingmn county, Ohio, to Perry county. 
Tbcv have two children — Florence Lucile 
and (lladvs Meredith. Hanson Marlow, 
the vounger son, has also liecn ma\-or of 



414 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



New Lexington, his incumbency in the office 
continuing from 1888 until 1892. He 
studied law, but abandoned the profession 
for a general business life. He was deputy 
clerk of the county for six years under his 
uncle. John H. Marlow, and was deinity 
sheriff under Mr. Crosby, for three years. 
He was also employed for five years in in- 
<lexing the county records and books and for 
four years he served as postmaster of Xew 
Lexington under President Cleveland. He 
has been most faithful, prompt and reliable 
in the discharge of his official duties and is 
regarded as a valued and loyal citizen of his 
community. \'ery ])n)niinent in Ma.sonic 
circles he has served as district lecturer and 
is now worthy master of New Lexington 
Lodge. No. 250, F. & A. M. He married 
Miss Finch, a daughter of Rev. J. T. Finch, 
a minister of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. They have three ciiildren : Wiley 
Edwin. J. Bryant and Dale Marlow. ISIrs. 
Tussing died in 1S88 and for his second 
wife Hanson M. Tussing chose Miss Eva 
Stewart, of McConnells\ille, Morgan coun- 
ty, ()hio. Tlie\- have two children — Clara 
and \\ ayland. 

It was in the year of his marriage that 
Rev. Samuel C. Tussing came to this county. 
Six \ears lalcr he determined to devote his 



life to the work of the Baptist church as a 
minister of the gospel and he has done 
much evangelical wtjrk in Ohio. He has 
always made his home in Perry county with 
the exception of fourteen months s])ent in 
Greene county. In Sq>tember. 1875, he lo- 
cated in New Lexington, where he has since 
resided. He was ])astor of the church here 
for four years ami was supply for seven 
years. He has l)aptized over four hundred 
converts and has preached five thousand 
four hundred an<l seventy-two sermons out- 
side of addresses and talks. He has kept 
an account of all of these. lia\ing a record 
of when and where he preached. He has 
been very closely identified with Sumlay- 
school work and has put forth every effort 
in his power to jiromote the cause of Chris- 
tianity. He has also been an active factor 
in tem])erance work and has endorsed the 
Prohibition party since 1872. His life has 
been most honorable and upright. He has 
never lived untcj himself alone and has 
lalK)re(l earnestly and effectively for the 
l>enefit of his fellow men, knowing that 
character is all that there is of value in this 
world. His influence has l^en widely felt 
ami not only in his own denomination but 
among all Christian people Rev. Tussing is 
held in the highest esteem. 



WILLIAM T. STEVENS. 

William T. Stevens, who is an honored the I4tli of July, 1844, his parents being 

-veteran of the Civil war and is the present John I>. and Lucy ( Scarbaugh) Stevens. 

jKistmaster of Thornville, was born in the The father was a native of X'irginia and 

village in which he still makes his home, on in 1833. when seventeen years of age. came 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



415. 



to Ohio, locating near Thornville. Perry 
county. He was accompanied by his par- 
ents, Thomas and Nancy Stevens, who Avere 
als(j natives of Virginia. A carpenter by 
trade he followed that occupation through- 
out the years of his active business career 
and many evidences of his handiwork are 
still seen in substantial structures in this 
county. He died at his home in Thorn\-ille 
at the advanced age of eighty-twO' years, in 
1898. He held membership in the Meth- 
odist church and for many years served as 
one of its trustees, taking an active part in 
everything tending to advance the growth 
of the church and extend its influence. He 
was an Odd Fellow for over fifty years and 
for many years was chaplain of the lodge. 
His widow is still living, making her home 
in Thornville. She is a most estimable lady, 
highly esteemed througliout the community. 
Her mother was the first white child born 
in Newark county. By her marriage Mrs. 
Stevens became the mother of four children, 
all of whom are yet living, namely : Will- 
iam T., of this review; Oliver J., whO' is 
engaged in the undertaking business in 
Tliornville, Ohio; Noble L., a practicing 
dentist of Thornville; and Attie V., the wife 
of John Conklin, who is engaged in the 
poultry business in Thornville. 

Mr. Stevens, who is well known and 
highly esteemed throughout this community, 
remained at home until eighteen years of 
age, but the country was then engaged in 
Civil war and he could no longer content 
himself to remain in Ohio while many brave 
sons of the north were battling for the 
Union. Accordingly he enlisted in 1862, 



becoming a member of Company K. One 
Hundred and Twenty-si.xth Ohio \'olun- 
teer Infantry, with which he ser\ed for 
three years. He was then mustered riut at 
Elmira, New York, having participated in 
the battle of Martinsburg, Virginia. 

After receiving his discharge Mr. Stev- 
ens returned tO' Ohio and has resided con- 
tinuously in Thornville, with the exception 
of a period of four years. He is a 
carpenter by trade and for many years he 
followed that occupation, being actively 
identified with building interests of this 
place. An expert workman he has always 
been kept busy in the line oi his chosen 
pursuit and has thus been enabled to pro- 
vide comfortably for his family. In Feb- 
ruary, 1899, he was appointed postmaster 
of the village to serve for a term of four 
years and is now the incumbent in that of- 
fice, his administration being practical and 
progressive and giving good satisfaction to 
his fellow townsmen. 

In 1 87 1 Mr. Stevens was united in. mar- 
riage to Miss Sidney Trovinger, a daugh- 
ter of Benjamin Trovinger, one of the early 
settlers of Perry county, living in Thofn 
township. He became a prosperous and 
enterprising agriculturist there and was a 
leading and influential citizen at an early 
date, but he died forty years ago. Unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Stevens has been born one 
son. George B., who is a resident farmer of 
Thorn township. He married Miss Lizzie 
Zollinger and they have two children, John 
William and Alice M. 

Mr. Stevens enjoys in a high degree 
the confidence and respect of his fellow 



41 6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



townsmen and recognizing his wortli and 
ability tliey lia\e sexeral times called him 
to positions of pulilic trust. He has served 
as infirmary director fir one term and has 
alsi. heen a member of the council of Thorn- 
ville. He maintains pleasant relations w itl 
his old army comrades through his mem- 
hershi]) in Reuben Lampton Post. G. A. R., 
■of this ])lacc. and his religious faith is in- 
dicated by iiis membership in the Meth- 



odist E])iscnpal church. Having spent al- 
most his entire life liere he is widely known 
and that many of his warmest friends are 
numbered ;urong those who have known 
him fri ni bn\hni>d is an indication that his 
has been an honorable and upright career. 
In manner he is jileasant and cordial and the 
qualities of his nature are .such as to have 
made him a ])o])ular and representative citi- 
zen of his community. 



HON. WILLIAM E. FINCK, Sr. 



An enumeration of the men who have 
won honor for themselves and at the same 
time have honored the state to which tliey 
belonged w(!uld be incomi)lete were there a 
failure to make prominent reference to the 
lion. William I'".. l-"inck. now deceased. His 
career at the bar was one most commend- 
able. He was \igilant in his devotion to the 
interests of his clients, yet he never forgot 
that he owed a higher allegiance to the 
majesty of the law. IJiis life was permeated 
by unfailing devotion to manly princii)les. 
.\'() man was ever more respected or more 
fully enjoyed tlie confidence iif the people or 
more riclih- descr\ed the c>tceni in which he 
was held. He was one of tlic great lawyers 
of tile Ohio bar who li\cs in the memory of 
his co.ntemporaries encircled with a halo of 
the gracious presence, charming ]>ersonality, 
profound legal wisdi>m, purity of public and 
])rivate life and the quiet dignity of an ideal 
follower of his chosen calling. 



William E. l*"inck was born in Somer- 
set, I'erry county, Ohio, September i, iSjj, 
a son of .\nth(>ny and AIar\- (Spurck) 
Finck. His father came to this county at 
a \ery early day from I'ennsyKania and 
cast his lo,i with the early pioneer settlers, 
entering from the government a tract of 
land u]>on which the city of Si.merset now 
stands. The ancestry of the Finck family 
can be traced back to an aidc-de-c;unp of 
(leneral Washington. I'nto Mr. ;nid Mrs. 
Finck were born se\en children: \\'illi;im 
E., of this review: Austin .\., who was 
mayor of Somerset and filled all of the town- 
ship offices of Reading townshi]) but is now 
deceased: Elizabeth, the wife of Hon. 
Henry C. l-'iller, now of Columbus, Ohio, 
but her death occurred in 1901 at the age 
of seventy-eight years; Martha, the wife of 
James McCristal, a prominent merchant of 
Somerset; Bernard L.. who was at one time 
a leading business man of Somerset, but is 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



417 



iKiw deceased; Harry, who was a l>usine;s 
man of Peoria, Illinois, but has also passed 
away: and Gertrude, the wife of John H. 
Blakeney, assistant postmaster of Bing- 
hamton. New York. 

William E. Finck pursued a common' 
school education, being largely a self-edu- 
cated as well as a self-made man, but he 
was endowed by nature with strong men- 
tality and he developed his latent talents. 
He read extensively and broadh' and had 
the ability to make what he read his own. 
He became a law student in the office and 
under the direction of Josiah Lnvell. a 
prominent pioneer attorney of this state. 
He began practice in Somerset when about 
twenty-two years of age and soou' afterward 
mox'etl to Lancaster, Ohio, and entered into 
])artnership with Hocking H. Hunter, the 
most noted lawyer of his day in Ohin, The 
firm enjoyed splendid success and after a 
few years Mr. Finck resigned the practice 
t(i Mr. Hunter and returned to S(.merset, 
his nati\'e home, for which he had a great 
attachment. He was known as a most con- 
scientious man. ever loyal in his (Ie\-(ition to- 
those who reposed trust in him. He was 
soon the acknowledged leader of the l'err\ 
county bar, Somerset being then the county 
seat. The zeal with which he devoted 
liis energies to his jirofession, the careful 
regard evinced for the interests of his 
clients, and an assiduous and unrelaxing at- 
tention to all the details of his cases 
brought him a large business and made him 
very successful in its conduct. I lis argu- 
ments always elicited warm commendation, 
not onl_\- from his associates at the bar but 
also from the bench. He was a very able 



writer; his briefs always showed wide re- 
search, careful though and the best and 
strongest reasons which could be urged for 
his contention, presented in cogent and 
logical form and illustrated by a style un- 
usually lucid and clear. 

It would have been impossible for a man 
of Mr. Finck's nature and ability to refrain 
fr( ni actixity in puljlic life. His fellow citi- 
zens demanded his services and he was 
elected state senator, filling the position for 
two years. He also served for a short time 
as attorney general of the state, 1>eing ap- 
pointed to that office. He was only twenty- 
six years of age when he became a candi- 
date for congress on the Wdiig ticket in a 
district having a large Democrat'c ma- 
jority, and although so young his i)o])uIarity 
and aliility were such that he recei\-ed a 
largely increased Whig vote, failing of elec- 
tion by only eleven votes. In i860 he again 
l)ecame a candidate and this time was tnore 
fortunate. In 1862 he was re-elected, and 
a third time in 1870, serving altogether for 
six years in the council chambers of the na- 
tion. In Blaine's "Twenty "S'ears in Con- 
gress" the ]\Iaine statesman mentions the 
fact that Mr. Finck led the fight on the 
Democratic side against Thaddeus Stevens' 
confiscation measure. Mr. Finck made 
three si)eeches against the bill which were 
able and convincing. Although differing 
from President Lincoln on many points of 
])olitical importance, Mr. I'inck became a 
warm personal friend of Lincoln, who had 
no greater admirer in congress. Mr. Finck 
l)elieved thoroughh' iu' the cause of the 
Union and in the president's right to main- 
tain that l^nion un])roken. lie was twice 



4i8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nominated by the Ohio Democratic party 
for tiie position of judge of the common 
pleas court in his district but invariably de- 
clined to serve in that office. During his 
lifetime he was an intimate friend and asso- 
ciate of such distinguished national char- 
acters as Thomas Ewing. Allen G. Thur- 
nian, George H. Pendleton, William S. 
Groseljeck and others. 

The private life of Hon. William E. 
Finck was honorably and happily spent. 
He was married to Cecilia R. Garaghty, a 
daughter of ^lichael Garaghty. now de- 
ceased, who was at one time a resident of 
Lancaster and l)ecame very prominent. 
being an honored pioneer and leading busi- 
ness man there, actively associated with 
banking interests not only in Lancaster but 
also in other parts of the state. The chil- 
dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Finck were four 
in number and the eldest is the namesake of 
the father. Mary F,. is the widow of Frank 
A. Dittoe, a prominent business man of 
Somerset, who died in Columbus. Michael 
G. is living in Somerset. Martha is the 
wife of Martin Gallagher, who is promi- 
nently connected with the Congo Coal Com- 
pany of Somerset, Ohio. 

At the time of the golden wedding of 
the parents was celeljrated, .April 20, 1897, 
at which all the children were present, the 
following coiriiinunication came from the 
bar of Perry county : 

"To the Hon. W. E. Finck, Sr. : Upon 
this, the date of your golden wedding, we, 
your associates of the Perry coimty bar, 
send you our most hearty greeting and' con- 
gratulations. Being mindful of your long, 



useful and honorable course as a citizen and 
a member of the legal profession, we deem 
this a fitting and proper occasion to express 
to you the admiration and esteem in which 
you are held by your legal brethren and we 
greatly desire that your \enerable life may 
be extended in health and usefulness for 
many years to the end that your upright life 
as a citizen, your love and devotion as a 
huslxind and father, your able acK'ocacy at 
the l)ar. yom' honesty and fairness Ijetween 
citizens, your always earnest and diligent 
efforts to arrive at justice, truth and equity 
between parties, your desire to aid the court 
and jury and guide them unbiased to cor- 
rect solutions of pending controversies,, 
your ever affable and courteous demeanor, 
may be always actually before us. a guide 
and example for us to imitate and follow, 
that we. too. may in the end go down in the 
shades of life honored and resi>ected by 
bench, bar and people. In extending con- 
gratulations to you we are not unmindful of 
her \vhose life has been for fifty years in- 
separably linked with yours, and to her we 
also extend congratulations." This was 
signed by the members of the Perry county 
bar. 

Mr. Finck died at Somerset, January 
25. 190 1, when about seventy-nine years of 
age. Thus his life record covered a long 
span, and throughout all the years of his 
active manhood he so lived as to win the re- 
si)ect and confidence of all witii \\iiom he 
was associated. His legal learning, his 
analytical mind, the readiness with which he 
grasped the ])oints in an argument, all com- 
bined to make hinT one of the most success- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



419 



ful and capable lawyers that has ever prac- every spark of talent with which nature had 

ticed at the bar of this cotmty. Nature be- gifted him. He was in every way a most 

stowed upon him many of her rarest gifts, superior man. His widow still survives him 

He possessed a mind of extraordinary com- and resides in her beautiful hume in 

pass and an industry that brought forth .Somerset. 



HON. WILLIAM E. FINCK. 



Fortunate is the man who has back of 
him an ancestry honorable and distin- 
guished, and happy is he if his lines of life 
are cast in harmony therewith. In person, 
in action and in character William E. Finck 
is a wtu'thv representative of bis race and 
is to-day regarded as one of the capable at- 
torneys at law of Somerset, where his fa- 
ther was for many years a most distin- 
guished practitioner. He was born in this 
town January 8, 1858, being a son of Hon. 
William E. and Cecilia R. (Garaghty) 
Finck. 

In the public schools here he gained his 
education and after acquiring a gnod pre- 
liminary kniiwledge he entered the St. Louis 
Uni\'ersitv, of St. Louis, Missouri, in which 
he was graduated with the class of 1874. 
With broad general knowledge to ser\'e as 
the foundation upon which ti* rear the super- 
structure of professional knowledge, he 
then took up the study of law under the 
direction of his father and after a thorough 
and systematic course of reading, covering 
two years, he was admitted to the bar in 
1870. For a quarter of a century be has 
been a practitioner in Somerset and bis 

23 



clientage is now oi a very extensive and im- 
portant character. He at once entered upon 
the practice of his chosen profession where- 
in he was destined to rise to an honorable' 
and ])rominent position. Me began the 
work for which the ])revious years of study 
had beai a preparation, becoming a mem- 
ber of the bar where sham reputation and 
empt}' [jretenses were of no a\'ail in the 
forensic combats. The young man, in his 
contest with older and experienced men 
whose reputation and patronage were al- 
ready secured, found it a hard school, but it 
afforded excellent training and as he meas- 
lU'ed his strength with the Ijest his mind 
was de\e1oped and his intellectual ])owers 
were ciuickened and strengthened and he ac- 
(|uired a readiness in action, a fertility of 
resource and a courage under stress that 
lia\e been essential factors in his successful 
career. 

Mr. Finck has also attained distinction 
in jiolit cal circles. In 1896 he was nomi- 
nated for congress in the eleventh district,. 
running against General Charles Grosvenor, 
of Athens. Ohio, During that cam])aign he 
made o\er two hundred speeches and sue- 



420 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ceeded in reducing the Republican majority 
more than une-half. In 1897 he was elected 
state senator in the fifteenth and sixteenth 
districts of Ohio and changed the Republi- 
can majority of twenty-seven hundred. 
given two years before, to a Democratic ma- 
ji rity of fourteen hundred. He carried hi> 
county, although strongly Republican. In 
1899 he was nominated to the position of 
representative against his protest and was 
elected, although the rest of the county 
went Republican. He was made chairman 
of the senate judiciary committee and 
l^roved a most active and able working 
member of the house as well as the senate. 



He was a recognized leader on the Demo- 
cratic side of the senate and is known in 
political and professional circles throughout 
the state. 

On the 4th of May, 1901. Hon. Will- 
iam E. Finck was united in marriage to 
M'iss Orpha E. Helser. a daughter of A. H. 
Helser. of Somerset. Socially he is identi- 
fied with the Bene\olent and Protective Or- 
der of Elks in Newark, and is a memljer of 
the C'athdlic church. I'Larnest effort, close 
ap])lication and the exercise of his native 
talents have won him prestige as an able 
lawyer at a bar which has numbered many 
eminent and prominent men. 



JOHN E. EVANS. 



John E. Evans is well known in political 
circles in Perry county antl is now accept- 
ably filling the position of county recorder, 
maintaining his residence in Xew Lexing- 
ton. He was born in Meigs county. Ohio, 
September 22, 1861, and is a son of William 
K. ICvans, a native of Wales, who, leaving 
the little "rock-ribbed" land, sought a home 
in the new world, making his way across 
the country to this state. He settled in 
Pinieroy. Meigs county, where he worked 
in the rolling mills as a jiuddler. He fol- 
lowed that occupation till about 1872 and 
then ;;ccei)ted the position of night watch- 
man until 1877, when he retired from act- 
ive labor. He died July 3. 188.V His fa- 



ther was killed at the battle of Waterloo. 
His wife passed away to the spirit world in 
1869. 

in i87<) our subject remo\ed to Perry 
county. t;iking up his abode here in the 
month, of October. He was then eighteen 
years of age. He located at Xew Straits- 
ville, where he became connected with 
mining operations and thus continued in 
business until 1893. when he became weigh 
master with the Sunday Creek Coal Com- 
])any. Recognized as a cili/.cn of worth, 
deepiv interested in the jmblic ])rogress. his 
fellov.' townsmen called him to positions of 
IHiblic trust, and for four years, from 189^ 
to 19CX). he served as clerk of the village of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



421 



New Straitsville. In the fall of 1899 he was 
elected county recorder and entered upon 
the duties of that position the following fall. 
So capably has he served that in 1901 he 
was re-elected and has now entered upon his 
second term. 

Mr. Evans has been a member of the 
Republican central committee of New 
Straitsville and has long taken an actixe 
part in politics, doing everything in his 
power to promote the growth and insure the 
success of his party. He has made a close 
study of the political issues and questions 
of the day and is thus enabled to uphold his 
position by intelligent argiiment. As a 
public official he is most prompt and faith- 
ful in the discharge of his duties. His re- 
election to office is an indication of his capa- 
bility. He belongs to the Independent Or- 
der of Odd Fellows, holding membership in 



the lodge. at New Straitsville, in which he 
is a past grand. He also has membership 
relati( ns with the Knights of Pythias lodge 
at New Lexington and is a prominent Ma- 
stn, identified with the lodge, chapter and 
commandery at that place. 

JMr. Evans was united in marriage to 
Miss Catherine J. Lloytl, a daughter of 
David Lloyd, of New Straitsville, now de- 
ceased, who was a soldier of the Fourth 
Virginia Infantry in the Civil war. Unto 
our subject and his wife have been born 
four sons and two daughters; William K., 
Sylvanus, David. Norman, Mary and 
Beatrice. Mr. Evans and his estimable wife 
ha\'e a large circle ol friends in the county 
and although thev haxe but recenth- become 
residents of New Lexington the h.O'Spitality 
of many of the best homes has been ex- 
tended to them. 



JAMES F. McMAHON. 



Few men in Perry ccunt}' have a wider 
acquaintance than James F. McMahon. wlm 
is now living a retired life, but for many 
years he was an active factor in journalistic 
circles and owned and edited the New Lex- 
ington Tribune. m;d<ing it a ])aper nf much 
value to the communit}-. Mr. McMahon is 
a native o-f Coshocton county, Ohio'; and 
when a young man he came to Perry count}^ 
in 185 1. He first emliarked in nierchan- 
flisiu"; in Somerset and continued business 



all ng that line f(.r twenty years, or until 
1S71, when he established the Snmerset 
Tribune, in 1873 he removed the paper 
to New Lexington and changed its name to 
the New Lexington Tribune, continuing the 
publication of the journal until 1900. He 
made this paper a strong inthience in Re- 
publican circles ini Perry county. His edi- 
torials were strong, forceful and ])resented 
facts in a clear and logical manner. At the 
same time he laliorcd earnestly for the pro- 



422 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



motion of all interests contributing to local 
advancement and progress. His paper was 
one of the best country journals in the state 
and had a very wide circulati. n. Through 
the columns of the Tribune Mr. McMahon 
was largely instrumental in securing the 
building of the Cincinnati. Sandusky and 
Hamilton Railroad from Columbus to the 
coal fields of Perry county, a work that has 
proven of great practical value in the de- 
velopment of the rich mineral industries of 
this state. 



Mr. McMahon was united in marriage 
in this county to Miss Charlotte Maines, a 
daughter of Frederick Maines, one of the 
old and respected citizens of Somerset. Two 
children have l)een born unto them: Sallie 
Emma and K. R. McMahon. For a half 
century Mr. McMahon has been a repre- 
sentative of the Masonic fraternity, taking 
nearly all of the degrees in the various 
branches of the order. In his life he ex- 
emplifies its beneficent and hel])ful spirit, 
recognizing the brotherhood of man. 



C. A. BARROW, M. D. 



C. A. Barrow, M. D.. is engaged in 
practicing medicine in Xew Straitsville. A 
careful prq)aration fur the calling, combined 
with his close attention to his professional 
duties, has made him a very successful and 
capable representative of the medical fra- 
ternity. The Doctor was born in England, 
his birth occurring seven miles from Man- 
chester, on the 2 1 St of March, 1865. When 
a lx>y he came to Perry county with his par- 
ents, William and Elizabeth (Hawkins) 
I'.arrnw, Ixith of wlioin are still living in 
Xew Straitsville at the age of seventy-three 
years. For twenty-si.K years the father 
worked in the coal mines, but is now living 
retired. 

The Doctor pursued his education in the 
public schools at New Straitsville. but his 
advantages were somewhat limited. When 



a boy he began working in the coal mines 
and he also carried the chain fur the sur- 
veyors for six years. Being ajnbitious. en- 
ergetic and resolute he determined to enter 
professional life and often studied nights 
until one or two o'clock in order to counter- 
act the defect of the lack of early educa- 
tional privileges. At length he was prepared 
for entrance into college. He is a graduate 
of the Kentucky School of Medicine, of 
Louisville, having completed the course 
there in 1893. He also took a two years' 
course in the College of Physicians and Sur- 
ge(!ns, of Baltimore, Maryland. In 1893 be 
opened his office in Xew Straitsville. where 
he has since been engaged in general prac- 
tice, and his reading and investigation are 
C( ntinually broadening his knowledge and 
promoting his eliliciency. lie has inxcsted 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 423 

to some extent in oil wells, Init bis prnfes- Charles Sayre and Edith. Perry county 
sion claims tlie major part of his time. figures as one of the mo.st attrr.cti\'e, pro^ 
The Doctor was married in 1894 to Miss gressive and prosperous divisioius of the 
Adda Sayre, a daughter of Williamson state of Ohio, justly claiming a high order 
Sayre, who was born in Bearfield township of citizenship and a spirit of enterprise 
and still lives upon the old home farm there, which is certain to conserve consecutive de- 
He and his brother, Daniel Sayre, are velopment and marked advancement in the 
worthv farmers of this county, wdiile Edwiu material upbuilding of the section. The 
D. Savre, the brother of Mrs. Barrow, is county has been and is signally favored in 
serving as prosecuting attorney fur Athens the class of men who have controlled its 
countv, Ohio. She has another brother, affairs in ofificial capacity, and in this con- 
Milton, who is a resident of St. Mary's, nection the subject of this review demands 
West Virginia. He is a very prominent and representation as one who has served the 
influential resident there. Unto the Doctor county faithfully and well in positions of 
and his wife have been born two children: distinction, trust and responsibility. 



LEWIS COOPERIDER. 

Upon a farm in Thorn township resides dent of that county until 1829, when lie re- 
Lewis Cooperider, who is widely known in moved to Perry county, locating in Thorn 
the county as a practical, progressive and re- township. His father had taken' up land in 
spected agriculturist. He is numbered Perry. Fairfield and Licking counties for 
among Ohio's native sons, his birth having his children, and David Cooperider settled 
occurred in Bowling Green township, Lick- on a part of this land in Perry county, where 
ing ci unty, on the 13th of April, 1826. His there were three quarter sections, each one 
parents were David and Magdalina (Smith) c ccupieil by i>ne of the l)rothers. It was 
Co'O'perider. The father was born in I'ay- wild and unimproved but they cleared it 
ette county, Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio and placed it under a high state of cultiva- 
wheu' about sixteen years of age with his tion, put up good buildings and made very 
brother, locating in Licking county, where tlesirable homes for themselves. David 
he engaged in farming. His parents after- Cooperider spent his remaining days upon 
ward remo\-ed to this state and located in his old home place, which he develoi^ed and 
Licking county, where they lived and died, was engaged in general farni'ing and ?tock- 
The father of our subject remained a resi- raising. As the years passed his labors 



424 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



brought to him creditable success and he 
became the possessor of a comfortable com- 
petence. In all liis business dealings he was 
honest, straightforward and commanded the 
;()nfidence and good will of those with 
whom he was associated. He died at the 
age of seventy-two years, in the faith of the 
Lutheran church. ()f which he had lonj been 
a member. In his jx)litical views he was a 
Den-'ocrat, but never sought or desired 
office. He married Magdalina Smith, who 
was born in Pennsylvania and with her par- 
ents came to Ohio. She was the eldest in 
the family of Andrew Smith, one of the 
early settlers of Hopewell township. Perry 
county, who died there at an advanced age. 
Mrs. Cooperider was a member of the Ger- 
man Refcrmed church and lived a consistent 
Christian life. She died at the age of 
eighty-two years. In their family were five 
children, two daughters and three sons, of 
whom Lewis was the eldest. The sons are 
all yet living but the (laughters are deceased. 
Jacob is a resident of Millersport, Fairfield 
county, where he is following blacksmithing. 
Peter resides in Reading township. Perry 
county, and is also a blacksmith by trade. 
Elizal)eth became the wife of Jacob Daniels, 
of Indiana, but is now deceased, and Eve 
passed away at the age of two years. 

Lewis Cooperider accompanied his par- 
ents on their removal from Licknng to Perry 
county when he was a little lad of three sum- 
mers, and in the conmion schools of Thorn 
township he accpiired his education and 
spent his boyhood days, remaining ui>on the 
home farm until he had attained his ma- 
jority. He engaged in farming until the 



death of his father, after which he learned 
the blacksmithing trade, which he followed 
for many years. He removed from the 
home place to his present fami, which was 
willed to him by his father and which com- 
prises a quarter section of land on section 
13, Thorn township. It is all under culti- 
vation and highly improved, witli splendid 
modern equipments, all of which are an in- 
dication of the enterprise and thrift of the 
owner, as they were placed there by him. 
Much of the land was cleared by Mr. 
Coo|)€rider, who then cultivated the fields 
and planted the crops and in course of time 
he garnered rich harvests. He also put up 
gootl, substantial buildings, and now has a 
modern farm. His attention is devoted to 
the cultivation of grain best adapted to this- 
climate, and to some extent he also follcAvs 
blacksmithing. 

In 1849 ^r^"- Cooi)erider was united in 
marriage to Elizabeth Klingler, who was 
born in Hopewell township, Perr\' county, 
a daughter of .\flam and Elizal)eth Klingler, 
who were also settlers of this township, 
coming to Ohio from Pennsylvania, jieople 
of culture and refinement. They liecame 
prominent and iniluential in the community 
in which they made their home and both 
died at an athanced age in H<>i)ewell town- 
ship. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cooj^erider were 
born eight children, of whom seven are yet 
living: Thomas Jefiferson, a farmer resid- 
ing in Nebraska, married Miss Basore; 
Leah is the wife of Henry Case, of Upper 
Sandusky, Ohio: Elizabeth is also li\ing in 
Upper Sandusky: Amanda is the wife of 
Hamer King, a farmer of Licking county; 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



425 



Ida became tlie wife of Henry Yaeger and 
died, leaving two children; Rufus, who re- 
sides in Colorado, where he is engaged in 
farming and cattle-raising, is married and 
has a family; the seventh child died in in- 
fancy ; and Adam was the eighth in order 
of birth. The mother of this family died 
at the age of thirty-five years and for his 
second wife Mr. Cooperider chose Susan 
Crist, a daughter of Philip Crist. She was 
liorn in Thorn township, Perry county, and 
has become the mother of four children : 
M. Magdelene resides at home and has 
charge of the farm ; Emmet, a resident 
farmer of Arkansas, married Miss Almeda 
Mechling, a daughter of William Mechling, 
of Hopewell township; Chauncy, who fol- 
lows farming in Thorn township, married 
Miss ^Minnie Bear, of Hopewell township: 
and Noble, who is a land owner in Missouri 
and California, makes his home in the for- 



mer state. He married Miss Jennie Hern 
and has a family. 

Mr. Cooperider holds membership in the 
Lutheran church, and in politics is a Demo- 
crat, taking quite an active interest in the 
work of the party. He has served as trustee 
oif his townshii) and for many years has 
been school trustee, the cause of education 
finding in him a warm friend who does all 
in his power to promote the grade of the 
schools. Having spent almost his entire life 
in this countv, he lias become widely known 
and enjoys in a high degree the respect and 
confidence of those with whom he has been 
associated, for his life has been characterized 
by indefatigable industry, by fairness in all 
business transactions and by reliability in 
friendship. He has, therefore, gained the 
respect of a large circle of acquaintances 
and well deserves representation in this 
volume. 



AMOS H. HELSER. 



Amos H. Helser is a member of the firm 
of A. H. Helser & Son, undertakers, of 
Somerset. In this business they iiave en- 
gaged since 1H97, but since 1881 Mr. Helser 
has been connected with tlie express busi- 
ness of Somerset, has conducted a hack line 
and has dealt extensively in Imrses. He 
lias becnnie widely known as an energetic 
and relialjle. as well as progressive, business 
man and well deserves representation in this 



\-<jlume. Mr. Helser is a native of Thorn 
township. Perry county, his birth having oc- 
curred in 1850. He is a son of John and 
Fannie (Snider) Helser. both of whom 
were natives of Perry county. David Hel- 
ser. the grandfather of c nr subject, was one 
of the pioneer settlers of this portion of the 
state, coming from Pennsylvania to Perry 
county at a very early day in its history. 
The parents resided ujion a farm and were 



426 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



well known and respected people of the 
community. The father died in 1865, at 
the age of sixty-seven years, while the 
mother passed away in 1870. at the age of 
sixty years. She was a daughter of Daniel 
Snider, also an early settler of Thorn town^ 
ship. In the family of John and Fannie 
Helser were two sons and four daughters, 
the hntlier of our subject being Eli Helser, 
a resident of W'ar.saw, Indiana. The sis- 
ters are Ellen, who is also living in Warsaw ; 
Sarah, now Mrs. Whitehead, of that place; 
a half-sister. Mrs. Levi Helser, of Perry 
count\- : and Xancy. who is the eldest of the 
family. She became the wife of Joseph 
Dupler and died a number of years ago in 
Thorn townshi]). 

Amos H. Helser. of this review, was 
reared td manlmod upnn the hunie farm and 
pursued his education in the district schools 
and ct lUinued to engage in agricultural pur- 
suits until 1872. when he took up his abode 
in Somerset, where he has since made his 
hiMue. lie has bec-n extcnsi\ely engaged in 
dealing in line horses and has had a liberal 
patronage in the sale of tine matched teams. 
He has sdd a number of teams at excellent 
prices and has gained a wide reputation by 
reas(.n of tlie line animals which he handles 
and his reliability in business transactions. 
Since 1881 he has conducted a hack line in 
Somerset and has also tilled a position as 
agent for the United States Express Com- 
pany, in i8i>7, in comiectinn with bis son, 
he embarked in the undertaking business 
and they ni>w have a \ery large patronage 
in this line. 

Mr. Helser was united in marriage to 



Miss Mattie Karr, a daughter of Xoah and 
Catherine (Smith) Karr. Her father was 
bcrn in Thorn township in 1824 and was a 
son of I\c\-. W illiam Karr, who was one of 
the first settlers of Perry county. He was a 
teacher of Cierman and English, was also a 
mini>ter of the Baptist church and his efforts 
for the intellectual and moral development 
of the comniunit)- were etYective and far- 
reaching. His wife bore the maiden name 
of Susan Ciriiifith. and among their children 
was Xoah Karr, who became a prominent 
ard influential citizen of Perry county. He 
was called upon to till a numlier of positions 
of public trust. In 1870 and 1872 he was 
tiected sheritY of the countv and in 1878 
was chosen f( r the position of county treas- 
urer. In all i)f the.se offices he was found 
loyal and faithful tn the imblic trust. The 
miarriage of Mr. and Mrs. Helser has been 
blessed with the fnllowing children: Or- 
phenna, the wife of Hon. William E. Finck, 
of Somerset; Otis, who is associated in busi- 
ness with his father: Jeanettc C. who was 
a graduate of the high school of Somerset 
and an active member of the Methfxlist 
Episcopal church and died in 190.1. at the 
age of twenty-seven years, three months 
and ten days: and Mary, who is still attend- 
ing school. 

Mr. Helser is a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and is serv- 
ing as treasurer of his local lodge, of which 
he is also district deputy grand master. He 
has l>een honored with .some ]>olitical posi- 
tions, having served as township trustee for 
six years, while for twelve years he has been 
a memljer of the board of education. Mr. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



427 



Helser takes a deep interest in everything been respected not only for his success but 

pertaining- to the welfare and progress of for his probity and honorable methods. In 

the community. He has ever discharged his e\er\tliing he has been eminentl\' practical, 

public duties with marked ability and fair- and this has been manifest not only in his 

ness. for he is a most loyal and public- business undertakings but also in social and 

spirited citizen. As a business man he has private life. 



STEPHEN M. GOULD. 



Steiihen Martin Gould is the manager 
of extensive intlustrial interests at Shawnee, 
being the superintendent of the Ohio Min- 
ing & Manufacturing Company, of Xew 
York, which nwns an extensix'e jilant at 
Shawnee for the manufacture of [iressed 
and ornamental brick. In the cuntrol of this 
large enterprise Mr. Gould displays su- 
perior powers of management, keen busi- 
ness insight and capable control and well 
may he be numbered among the leading 
representatives of industrial circles in Perr)- 
county. 

I\lr. Gould is a native of Norway and 
is of Xorwegian and Scotch descent. By 
his parents he was brought to .\merica in 
his boyhood da_\-s and was reared u])on a 
farm in Iowa, but he preferred other busi- 
ness than that of the farm and after attain- 
ing his majority put aside the work of held 
and meadow to enter other lines of life. 
He came [n Shawnee in- 1896 as foreman of 
the plant of the Ohio Mining & Mau'ufac- 
turing Company and acted in that capacity 
^continuously until November, 1899, when he 



accepted a position in; Colorado. There he 
remained until October, 1900, when he was 
recalled and became the manager of the pres- 
ent plant and has since served in that im- 
portant position. The plant was established 
in 1896 and has a capacity of forty thou- 
sand Ijrick per ilay. Employment is fur- 
nished to eighty men exclusive of the min- 
ers. There are ten coal diggers in the coal 
mine and twent\ clay diggers, making one 
hundred and ten men altogether. A large 
quantity of pressed brick is daily manufac- 
tured, and all lines of fancy brick, of any 
color and any shade are made. The product 
is shipped throughout the countr\-, there be- 
ing a good market in thirtv-one states and 
one hundred and thirtv-one cities. Large 
agencies ha\e been, established in all the 
jirincipal cities of the United States. 
Mr. (iould came to his present position 
well e(pii]>ped for his responisible duties 
by practical experience. He has been 
engaged in brick-manufacturing for fif- 
teen years, principally in Iowa, Minne- 
sota. Colorado' and Mis.souri. He then 



428 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



came to Shawnee, and liis suijervision 
of tiie large plant of which he now has 
charge is one which gives entire satisfac- 
tion to the company which he represents. 
His practical knowledge of the business en- 
ables him to carefully direct the working 
of this large establishment and imder his 
supervision the business is constantly in- 
creasing, both in volume and importance. 
He has the entire management, including 
the manufacture, the purchases of materials 
and the sales, and therefore its profitable 
and successful conduct is due entirely to his 
efforts. 



Fraternally Mr. Gould is well known 
and is a valued representative of the Ma- 
sonic and Knights of Pythias fraternities. 
During the years of his residence he has be- 
come quite widely known in Perry county 
and has gained a very desirable reputation 
as an enterjjrising and reliable busine-s man, 
while outside of the office he is known for 
his genial disposition and many admirable 
qualities which have gained him warm per- 
sonal regard. On December 7. 1893. ^I''- 
Gould was united in marriage to Miss Jet- 
tie M. Doty, of Van Meter. Dallas county, 
Iowa. 



BERNARD MECHLING. 



Benianl Mechling, now deceased, was 
a highly respected farmer of Perry county 
and one whose life contained in it many 
elements w(jrthy of commendation and of 
emulation. He resided in Ho])eweil town- 
ship upon a farm where his birth occurred 
and it remained his place of residence 
throughi ut his entire life. He passed away 
.April 17. I (896. while he was born April 
21. 1X37. His parents were Samuel and 
Magdelene (Poorman) Mechling. He was 
a native of Westmoreland county. Pennsyl- 
\ania. 'i"he paternal grandfather was 
Jacob Mechling. who with his family came 
to Ohio alxHit 181 1, .settling in Hopewell 
township. Perry county, where he entered 
eight tracts of land of a half section each 



and this is still in possession of the Mech- 
ling family. He became a very prominent 
and influential fanner of his day and was 
an active memljer of the Lutheran church. 
The Alechling family is one of the oldest 
and most prominent in this part of the 
comity, representatives of the name have 
taken a very active part in the welfare and 
upbuilding of the town and county along po- 
litical, religious and social lines, and the 
family record is a creditable one. 

l>ernard Mechling. the subject of this re- 
view, pursued his education in the district 
schools and at an early day began to assist 
his father u])on the home farm. As s(T<in 
as old enough to hantlle a plow he began 
work in the field and bocinie .'ui acti\c fac- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



429. 



tor in the cultivation and impro\-ement of 
his father's land. On the 26th of May, 
1859, he was united in marriage to Miss 
Margaret Humberger and unto them were 
born two sons, Owen H., who resides in 
Hopewell township and married Miss Em- 
ma Burkett. by whom he has two children, 
Luke and George; and Albert \\'.. wlm mar- 
ried Cora Springer and resides in Hopewell 
township. They also have two children, 
Florence and Helen. After the death of 
his first wife Mr. Mechling was again mar- 
ried on the 17th (if Januar)-. iS^tj, his sec- 
ond union being with Miss Leah Zartman, 
who Avas boru' in Hopewell township. Perry 
county, and is a daughter of Isaac and Re- 
becca ( King) Zartman. Her mother was 
a native of Hopewell township, while the 
father was also a native of Perry county, 
and was a son of Alexander and Salmnn 
(Cohen Zartman. both of whom were na- 
tives of Northumberland countv, Pennsxl- 
vania. whence they removed to Hopewell 
township, Perrv countv, about 1810, set- 
tling in the southern part of the tuwnship. 
where Mrs. Reljecca Zartman is now liv- 
ing at the age of eighty-six years. Lnto 
Alexander Zartman and wife were bom 
nine children, all of whom are deceased with 
the exception of ATargaret. They were 
Sarah, who became the wife of (ieorge 
Mechling; Catherine, who died in child- 
hood; Israel; Isaac, the father nf ]\lrs. 
Bernard Mechling; Joshua; Hau-y ; Le\i; 
]VIrs. Margaret Foucht. a resident of Upper 
Sandusky, Ohio; and Magdelene. who be- 
canre the wife of Joel Smith. Isaac Zart- 
man. the father nf Mrs. Mechbne', was a 



very successful farmer and a man well liked 
by all who knew him. He was a Democrat 
in his political views and for a number of 
years served as treasurer of Hopewell town- 
ship, while for a long time he was justice 
of the peace. He was alsoi an active member 
of the Reformed church and led the music 
in the organization to which be lielonged. 
Lsaac Zartman and his wife were the jjar- 
ents of nine children; Leah A., the wife of 
Bernard Mechling; Solomon K., who mar- 
ried Malinda Foucht and resides in Dayton, 
Ohio; Sarah, who is the widow of Xoah 
Swinehart and is li\'ing in Somerset, Ohio; 
Levi, who died at the age of seven years ; 
Magdelene, the wife of Jacob Foucht, a 
resident of Dayton, Ohio; Angeline, who 
is the wife of Benjamin Alspaugh and re- 
sides with her mother in Hopewell town- 
ship; Allen K,. who married Libbey A. 
Conrad, of Canton. Ohio, anc! is a minister 
of the Reformed church now located at Fort 
Wayne. Indiana; Margaret J., the wife of 
\\'illiam H. Parks, a resident of Hopewell 
township; and Rufus Calvin, whi> wedded 
Hattie Eaton, of Fostoria, Ohio, and is a 
minister of the Reformed church, now 
preaching at Philadelphia. Pennsylvania. 
Isaac Zartman was the owner of about one 
hundred and seventeen acres of valuable 
land at the time of his death. He and his 
wife had lived together in the holy bonds 
of matrinidny f(_)r nearly sixty-six years. 
His death occurred ]\Iarcli 5. i()Oi. when 
he was eighty-sex'en _\ears of age and his re- 
mains were interred in St. Paul's cemetery 
in Hopewell township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Mechling were born three children: Mary 



•430 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Estella became tlie wife of August H. Durn- 
birer, a Lutheran minister cf Samlusky. 
Ohio, and they have two sons. Wayne 
Mecliling and Elmer Roljert. Sylvia R., 
the second child, died at the age of four 
months. Homer C. married Miss Gertrude 
Gordon, a daughter of Le Roy and Almetta 
(Rousculp) Gordon. They reside with his 
mother. Mrs. Mechling. 

In his political views Bernard Mechling 
was a stanch Democrat and supported his 
honest convictions without fear or favor. 
He owned about two hundred acres of fine 
farming land and devoted his time and at- 
tention to general farming and to stock- 
raising. He prospered in both branches of 
his business and annuallv raised and sold 
a large numljer of cattle. In 1874 he erect- 
ed a fine large brick residence and a com- 
modious barn. His was one of the fine 
homes of the county and everything about 
his place indicated the careful supervision 
of a ])rogressive. practical and enterprising 
owner. He took great delight in providing 
well for his fainily. counting no personal 



sacrifice too great that would promote the 
welfare or enhance the happiness of his wife 
and children. Mr. Mechling held member- 
ship in the Lutheran church, while his 
widow, a most estimable lady, having many 
warm friends throughout the community, 
is a member of the Reformed church. In 
his church Mr. Mechling led' the singing 
fcr many years and was the Sunday-school 
superintendent for over thirty years. He 
passed away April 17, 1896. and his remains 
were interred in St. Paul's cemetery. His 
was largely a blameless life and his entire 
life was characterized by industry, by j>er- 
severance, by honorable principles and by 
his Chri.-tian faith. He treated his fellow 
men fairly, was loyal in friendship, faithful 
in citizenship and was a devoted husband 
and father. He made friends wherever he 
went and when called to the home beyond 
his death was v.idely and deeply mourned 
throughout the entire community, in which 
he had spent his entire life. To know 
Bernard Mechling was to esteem and honor 
him. 



CALVIN ESSEX. 



A representative of the business inter- 
ests of Xew Straitsville. Calvin Essex is 
there engaged in dealing in furniture and is 
also conducting an undertaking establish- 
ment. He is likewise one of the owners of 
•coal mine Xo. 2i7- belonging to the Essex 



Coal Company, in which enterprise he is 
associated with his brother, H. H. Essex, 
who is acting as sui)erintendent of the mine. 
A man of resourceful business ability, our 
subject is successfully carrying forward 
the.se various undertakings and in their man- 




CALVIN ESSEX 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



433- 



agenieiit displaxs excellent business ability. 
He I>e]ongs to that class of representative 
American citizens who, while promoting 
individual success, also advance the general 
good. 

Mr. Essex is a native of Noble county, 
Ohio, his birth having there occurred in 
1848. He is a son of Nathan H. and Eliza- 
beth (Morris) Essex, who;e ancestry can 
l)e traced back to- England, whence repre- 
sentati\-es of the famil}- came to New Jer- 
sey in 1650. The parents of oiir subject 
were both natives of Noble cotmty, Ohio, 
born near the Morgan county line. The 
paternal grandfather of our suliject was 
Hardesty Essex, who came horn New Jer- 
sey to the Buckeye state and here established 
the family. Nathan H. Essex remained at 
home until the time of the Civil war, when 
he offered his services to the government 
and joined the Union arm\-. His son Cal- 
vin also attempted to enlist but was re- 
jected because of his youth. Nathan Essex 
was a well known, acti\'e and enterprising 
citizen of Noble county and enjoyed the high 
regard of a large circle of friends there. In 
his family were six sons and fonr daughters. 
Of the sons Nelson Summerbell Essex is a 
resident of New Straitsville ; W. S. Essex 
is a prominent lawyer and citizen o'f Fort 
Worth, Te.xas ; Rev. La Fayette Essex is 
living in Nelsonville, Ohio, and is a min- 
ister of the Christian church ; H. H. Essex 
is connected wnth ottr subject in the coal 
business; Sherman Essex and our subject 
complete the number. The daughters of 
the family are Mrs. C. A. Rogers, the wife 
of Svlvester Rog-ers, of Columbus ; Eliza- 



beth Elmira. the widow of Rev. Thumas 
Cook, of Hocking county, Ohio', who was 
a minister of the Bible Christian church and 
died June i, 1902: Zelda, the wife of Isaac 
Wolfe, of Tocsin, Indiana; and Harriet, 
the wife of Samuel Wolfe, a farmer of Toc- 
sin, Indiana. 

Calvin ILssex spent the days of his )>oy- 
hood and youth under the parental roof and 
w^hen twenty-three years of age came to 
New Straitsville. He at once secured em- 
ployment in the Troy Coal Mine as a miner 
and later he hauled coal by contract. He 
began business on his own account in 1878 
as a grocer and baker and continued in that 
line until 1898, meeting with creditable and 
gratifying success. In 1879 he added un- 
dertaking, and in 1880 furniture was also 
added to his business. In 1898 he estab- 
lished his present furniture and undertaking 
business, which he has since carried on.. 
Since that time his patronage has steadily 
increased, for his fellow citizens and people 
of the surrounding country realize the fact 
that liis prices are reasonable, his business 
methods honorable and that his gmids are 
as represented. He therefore has prospered 
in his commercial pursuits and to-day is one 
of the leading merchants of the place. In 
1885 he became connected with c^al mining 
interests Jrtid in that year be opened up a 
mine at Monday, Ohio. He was first asso- 
ciated with Robert Stalter, but in 1893 this 
partnership was dissolved. In 1898 he or- 
ganized the Essex Coal Companw the ]>art- 
ners being his brothers and cithers. Mine 
No. 37 was opened and o|)erated from 1893 
until 1898. In 1895 Mr. Essex suffered 



434 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



■consideraljle loss l)y fire in tlie destruction 
of lii> lii>nie and st<jre. all Ijeing destroyed 
with the exception of soirie of his household 
goods and a part of his stock. In 1895 he 
built a fine brick store and residence com- 
plete. It is the finest business place in the 
town. The dimensions of tlie building are 
one hundred and seventy-six by twenty-two 
feet and at the back are three nxMiis each 
twenty-two feet in depth. Above and at 
the side tlicre are nice rooms for residence 
puri:ii>e^, making a ])leasant and con\'enie; 
home as well as a good business block. 

Mr. Essex was married in Hocking 
county. Ohio, to Miss Evalyn Stalter. a 
daughter of William and Elizabeth (Rose) 
Stalter. who were jiioneer settlers of Ohio. 
Unto our suijject and his wife ha\e been 
born the f{ Hewing children : Luella. the 
wife of Dr. R. E. Winters, of Xew Straits- 
\-ilIe: Charles S.. who is lixing in llie sanie 
place: Mabel Elizabeth, the wife of R. A. 
Duvol ; Robert and F'rederick, who are liv- 
ing in Xew Straits\ille: and one who died 



in infancy. In his social relations Mr. Es- 
sex is a Mason, belonging to lodge, chap- 
ter and council. He is identified with the 
Independent Order of Otld Fellows in both 
tlie sub<irdinate branch and encampment, in 
which he has passed all of the chairs. He 
likewise belongs to the Junior Order of 
American Mechanics, and is a valued mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, in 
wliicli lie has served as trustee for a num- 
lier oi years. His ])oliticaI support is given 
the Democracy and for three terms he has 
served as a member of the city council, 
filling the office from 1874 until 1878 and 
again from 1899 until 1901. He has put 
forili e\ery effort in his power in his official 
ixjsitii 11 to promote the welfare of the town, 
and at all times has lieen true to public 
trust. In the conduct of his extensive and 
important business affairs he displays ex- 
cellent executive force and keen discrimi- 
nation and his prosperity is the merited re- 
ward of his liwn energetic and i)rogressi\e 
labors. 



ROBERT M. SMALL. 



Roljert M. Small is a practitioner of able energy, he will doulitless win a very 

law in Xew Lexington, having been ad- creditable j'-osition as a lawyer: in fact, he 

mitted to the bar in 1900. He is therefore is already well known in this connection and 

in the initial years of his professional ca- is likewise an active factor in business cir- 

reer, but be has bv close stmly well |irei)arcd cles, bein.g the secretary of the Junction 

liimself for his chosen vocation, and jxis- City Ijuildin.g & Loan Association, whicli 

sessing a laudable ambition and indefatig- is one of the leading financial institutions 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



435 



of Perry county. He has filled the office 
for three years and his management of the 
affairs of the company lias hrnught to it 
creditable success. 

Mr. Small is a natix'c oi Wond county, 
Virginia, born in 1871. The family is of 
Scotch-Irish descent and was established in 
North Carolina prior to the Revolutionary 
war. Robert Small, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in that state and after arriv- 
ing at years of maturity he wedded Mary 
Swink. a native of Virginia, her people hav- 
ing been pioneer settlers of the south. After 
acquiring his preliminary education Rob- 
ert M. Small, of this review, continued his 
studies in the Ohio State University, at 
Columbus. Later he received the degree of 
M. Ph. from Mi. Hope College, having 
completed the three courses in philosophy, 
ci\-il engineering and law. Prior to his ad- 
mission to the bar he was engaged in teach- 
ing school in Montgomery county, Ohio, 



for three years. Later he filled the posi- 
tion of superintendent of the Junction City 
schoo'ls, Perry count)-, from 1897 until 
1900. In December, 1900, he opened an 
office in New Le.Kington and has gained a 
good clientage for one so young. He is 
determined that success shall attend his 
efforts and strong determination is always 
an important factor in business. He real- 
izes that advancement must come through 
capability and close application and these 
qualities have already been manifest in his 
career. 

Mr. Small is a member of New Lex- 
ington Lodge, No. 509, B. P. O. E. In 
pdlitics he is a Demi.'crat, active and earnest 
in support of his party and in 1895 he was 
a candidate for the state legislature from 
Montgon^ery county. He has served on 
the county executive conmiittee here and 
puts forth every effort in bi'^ p')wer to se- 
cure the success of the Denmcracv. 



EDWARD CALL. 



Edward Call has been horn. red with the 
positi(jn of mayor of New Straitsville and 
is now capably serving in that ca|iacity. He 
has filled manv positions of public tru-t and 
is a prominent factor in Demnxratic circles 
in this portion of the state. His fidelity 
til duty and his reliability in all public posi- 
t( ris has made his record one of worth and 
value ti: the cnmmunitw He has e\-er placed 
the general good before partisanship and the 



welfare nf his c< immunity before jiersonal 
aggrandizement. 

Mr. Call was born in the citv of Phila- 
del]jhia. in i8-(9. and is a son of Edward 
Call, who with his family came to Perry 
county in 1855, settling in Pike township. 
He was born in county Donegal, Ireland, 
and after arriving at years of maturity he 
wedded Mary Sweeney, also a native of the 
same countv. Unto them were horn the fol- 



436 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lowing children : Charles, who is a mine 
boss at Shawnee; Dennis, who is living in 
Sulphur Springs, Perry county; John, a 
resident of New Straitsville; Mrs. Mary 
Xutter, of Hocking county; Mrs. Rose 
A\'iie. of Sulphur Springs, Perry county; 
and Mrs. Hannah Biven. of New Straits- 
ville. 'ihe father of this family departed 
this life in New Straitsville. at the age of 
tifty-nine years, in 1878. Mrs. Call is still 
living, making her hdme with lier children. 

Edward Call, whose name introduces 
this review, was only six years of age when 
brought by his parents to Perry count\- and 
here he has lived since. lie pursued his 
education in the pul>lic schools and was mar- 
ried in Illinois to Miss Dora Sheriilan. a 
daugliter of Silas Sheridan, a native of 
Hocking county. Ohio, where his people 
were jjioneer settlers. Unto Mr. anrl Mrs. 
Call have been born si.x children : Charles. 
Albert. Lawrence, Mary. Edith and Ruth, 
all of whom are yet residing nn.der the jiar- 
ental roof. 

Mr. Call has served for m;inv vears in 



lx)sitions of public trust. He has been a 
resident of New Straitsville since 1872,. 
and from 1878 until 1880 he served as 
marshal of the town. He was also city 
clerk and for three years was a mem- 
ber of the school board. In 1898 he was 
elected justice of the peace, and in 1901 
was re-elected, so that his incumbency was 
continuous for six years. He was also 
chosen mayor of the city in 1901 and is 
therefore the present chief executive of the 
town. In pi)Iitics he is a stanch Denn.crat, 
has served on the county committee and has 
frecpiently been a delegate to county and 
state conventions. In 1901 he was his 
party's candidate for the state legislature. 
In the community where he is best known 
he receives the hearty endorsement, not only 
of men of his own ])arty, but of the opposi- 
tion as well, and he has e\er demonstrated 
that tiic trust rc])osed in him has not been 
betrayeil. Mr. Call became a membei" of 
the Miners' Union and in 1876 joined the 
Knights of Lalior. in which organization he 
has been verv active. 



HENRY D. COCHRANE. 



Henry D. Cochrane has for more than a im])resses itself upon a community. .\ na- 

quarter of a century l>een a member of the tive of Jackson townshi]). this countv. he 

Perry county bar. He has made a lasting w;is born on the lotb of July. 1851. His 

impression upon the bar of this locality l)oth ancestry can l)e traced back to an early 

for legal ability of a high order and for the period in the history of this country. The 

individuality of a personal character which great-great-grandfather of our subject lived 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



437 



on Jersey Island and from Ireland he emi- 
grated to America soon after the close of 
the Revolutionary war, establishing his 
home in New York. The father of our sub- 
ject bore the name of Ira Cochrane. He 
was born in Meigs county, Ohio, and thence 
emigrated to Perry county, coming to this 
place when a lad in company with his fa- 
ther, Henry D. Cochrane. Later he entered 
land in Perry county and took up his abode 
thereon, devoting his energies to the de- 
velopment of a good farm. He died in 
April, 1863, when about sixty years of age. 
His son, Ira Cochrane, continued a resident 
of the county from the time of the arrival 
of the family here until his demise, but he 
attained the age of only thirty years, passing 
away in 1856. He married Mary O'Hagan, 
who long survived him, passing- away on 
the 17th of May, 1901, at the age of eighty 
years. 

Under the parental roof Henry D. Coch- 
rane, of this review, spent the days of his 
childhood. At the usual age he entered the 
public schools and therein acquired a good 
knowledge of the common branches of 
English learning. He studied law in Xew 
Lexington with the firm of Ferguson & 
Jackson. ^Vhen sixteen years of age he 
began teaching school and followed that 
profession for eight years, thus providing 
for his expenses while pursuing his law 
course. On the i6th of August, 1876, he 
was admitted to the bar. Lie at once opened 
an oflice in New Le.\ington, where he has 
given his attention in an undivided manner 
to the practice of his profession, his clientage 
continually growing in volume and im- 

24 



portance until it is now of a distinctively 
representative character. He has argued 
many cases and has lost but few. No one 
better knows the necessity for thorough 
preijaratiLU and no one more industriously 
prepares his cases than he. His course in 
the courtroom is characterized by a calm- 
ness and dignity that indicate reserve 
strength. He is always courteous and defer- 
ential toward the court, kind and forbearing 
toward his adversaries. He examines a wit- 
ness carefully and thoroughly, but treats 
him with a respect that makes the witness 
grateful for his kindness and forbearance. 
His handling of his case is always full, com- 
prehensive and accurate; his analysis of the 
facts is clear and exhaustive. He sees with- 
out effort the relation and dependence of the 
facts, and so groups them as to enable him 
to throw their combined force upon the point 
the}- tend to prove. 

Mr. Cochrane was united in marriage to 
Aliss Mary Lorimer, a daughter of William 
and Margaret Lorimer, who were residents 
of Jackson township and became pioneer 
settlers of Perry county, Ohio. Both are 
miw rleceased. Unto Mr. and ]^lrs. Coch- 
rane have been born three children : Ed- 
ward, who is nnw in the employ of the l\ol> 
inson Alachine Company, of Monongahela, 
Pennsylvania; William \\'., who is in the 
employ of the Tribune Printing Company, 
of New Lexington; and John, who is yet a 
student in school. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Cochrane are widely and favorably known 
in this city, where their circle of friends is 
quite extensi\e. In politics he has always 
been a Republican, but has never sought 



438 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



or desired the honors and emoluments of In manner he is genial and courteous and 
public office, desiring rather to give his un- these qualities have rendered him a social 
divided attention to his professional duties 



favorite in New Lexington. 



RANDOLPH M. FOUNTAIN. 



• Randolph M. Fountain, who is engaged 
in the hardware, implement and general in- 
surance business in Somerset, was born in 
Redington, then New Reading. Perry coun- 
ty, on the 29th of Septenjljer, 1866. and is 
a son of James Carson and Jane (Mitchell) 
Fountain. His grandfather, Curtis Foun- 
tain, came to this county from Pennsyl- 
vania about 1825. His wife was also a na- 
tive of the Keystone state. The maternal 
grandfather of our subject was Randolph 
^Mitchell, who became an early settler of 
Reading township, and his wife was Lydia 
Mitchell. James Carson Fountain, the fa- 
ther of our subject, was born in Clayton 
township. Perry county, in 1836 and died 
in 1896, at the age of sixty years. He 
filled the position of justice of the peace for 
fourteen years and was known as a citizen 
of genuine worth, devoted to the best in- 
terests of the community. For eighteen 
years he was connected with the Ohio Farm- 
ers' Insurance Company and was a very act- 
ive and public-spirited man. He gave his 
political support to the Democratic party, 
never wavering in his allegiance to its prin- 
ciples. In the family of James C. and Jane 
Fountain were three sons and three daugh- 



ters : Mary A., a resident of Redington ; 
Lydia C, the wife of Clinton E. Love, who 
is in partnership with our subject; Ran- 
dolph M., of this review : Maggie B., the 
wife of P. M. Bowman, one of the owners 
of the mill at Somerset; Frank M.. who is 
acting as clerk for his brother; and Carson, 
who is engaged in teaching in Redington. 
Randolph Mitchell Fountain, the sub- 
ject of this review, was reared upon the 
old homestead in Redington and attended 
the schools there. He was afterward grad- 
uated in the Capital City Commercial Col- 
lege, of Columbus, in 1888, and then went 
into the hardware business, becoming a clerk 
at Junction City, Perry comity. Subse- 
quently he went to Bremen, Fairfield coun- 
ty, in 1892, to become manager of the hard- 
ware store there. In 1893 he located in 
Somerset and accepted the position of book- 
keeper and cashier for the firm of O. B. 
Ream & Company, druggists, but after a 
year he accepted a clerkship in the store of 
Fisher Brothers, hardware dealers of Som- 
erset. In 1895 he t>>ught out his employers 
and entered into business under the name 
of R. M. Fountain. In 1896. however, he 
sold this business to the Yarncll Tin 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



439 



& Hardware Company and in that year 
bought a farm in the edge of Somerset. 
Mr. Fountain then carried on agricuUural 
pursuits until 1900, wlien he soltl his farm 
and estabhshed a hardware and implement 
business as a member of the firm of Foun- 
tain & Love, his partner being Clinton E. 
Love. The new enterprise is being success- 
fullv conducted and their patronage has al- 
ready assumed good proportions. .Mr. 
Fountain has the general agency of the 
Ohio Farmers' Insurance Company, which 
position he has held for seven years. As 
his father held the same position for eight- 
een }-ears, the company has been represent- 
ed by the Fountain family for twenty-five 
years. 

]Mr. Fountain was married in Junction 
City to Miss Mary Florence Baird. a daugh- 



ter of James T. Baird. They now have 
two children, Xellie Lucille and Frances 
Adelle. In his political views Mr. Fountain 
is an acti\'e Democrat, doing everything in 
his power to promote the growth and in- 
sure the success of his party. He is alsa 
a prominent member of the Odd Fellows 
society, has served as noble grand in his 
lodge and in his life e.xemplifies the benefi- 
cent spirit of the fraternity. He belongs 
to the Methodist Episcopal church of Red- 
ington and has served as chairman of its 
board of trustees. He takes a very deep in- 
terest in everything pertaining to the gen- 
eral good along material, social and intel- 
lectual as well as moral lines, and through- 
out Perry count}', where he has spent his 
entire life, he is widely and favorably 
known. 



H. M. BUGHMAN. 



H. M. Bughman, who is filling the posi- 
tion of engineer in the New' Lexington 
Electric Light plant, has served in this ca- 
pacity almost continuously since 1895. He 
was born in Reading township. Perry coun- 
ty, and is a son of Jacob Bughman, who 
located here at an early day, coming to 
America with his mother. They emigrated 
to this country from Germany, settling at 
Baltimore, Maryland, and thence made their 
way across the country to Ohio. Here the 
father of our subject continued to reside 



until he was called to his final rest and de- 
voted his attention to farming pursuits, 
thereby providing for his family. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth Zimn:er, who was also a na- 
tive of Germany, and his death occurred 
in 1891, when he was se\'enty-eight years of 
age. 

L'nder the parental Mr. Bughman of 
this review' spent his childhood days and 
after completing his literary education in 
the public schools he became a mechanical 
and electrical engineer, thoroughly master- 



440 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing tlie Imsiness in all its branches and de- 
partments. His studies were pursued in 
Otterbein and then he c nnnenced learning 
his trade. For a time lie was employed as 
an engineer in Kentucky and in 1895 he 
Ijecame engineer in the Xew Lexington 
Electric Light plant, which was built in that 
year and of whicli he had charge for one 
year. After an interval of two years he 
again accepted the position and has served 
CJ..tinuously since 1898. The engine is a 
three-hundred-horse-power one and the 
plant is equipped with the latest improved 
machinery, which furnishes power for from 
twelve to fifteen hundred incandescent 
lights and fifty arc lights. Under the cap- 
able management of Mr. Bughman the 
plant is carefully run and the works are giv- 
ing excellent satisfaction to the patrons. 
For twenty-three years ]Mr. Bughman has 
been an engineer and for six years served 



in that capacity in Junction City, Perry 
county. He has taken the state examina- 
tion and prined himself so well quali- 
fied that he was awarded two first-class li- 
censes. 

]\Ir. Bughman was united in marriage 
to Miss Belle Steeu, a native of Reading 
township, Perry county, and a daughter of 
Jacob Steen, who was a valiant soldier in 
the Union army, serving through the en- 
tire Civil war. His son, John Steen, is now 
a soldier in the Philippines and has been 
twice wounded. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bugh- 
man have been born the following children : 
Viva, Lizzie, Guy, Elsie, Vera, Milo and 
Goldia. yir. Bughman is widely known 
thruughi ut the county and is recognized 
as a reliable and faithful business man wlm. 
in social circles as well as in his business 
career, has gained the esteem of all with 
whum he has been associatetl. 



DUDLEY H. FOSTER. 



During the pioneer epoch in the history 
of Ohio the Foster family of which our 
subject is a member was founded in this 
state Ijy his great-great-grandfather, who 
came from Maryland and took up his abode 
in Ross county. There the great-grandfa- 
ther was born and Colonel Jnhn F(.«ter, the 
grandfather, was also a native of that coun- 
ty. He became a very prominent and influ- 
ential citizen .and left the impress of his 



individuality upon public life. He served 
as colonel in the state militia and was also 
a leader in civil life, being a member of the 
state legislature. His business affairs pros- 
I)cretl and he became a wealthy man and 
leading citizen. 

Joseph Foster, the father of our sub- 
ject, was a resident of Pike county and pos- 
sessed considerable influence as a leader of 
the Republican party. He was a man of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



441 



strong mentality and sterling worth, well 
fitted to beconae a leader in public thought 
and action. His opinions carried weight in 
the councils of his party and he labored in- 
defatigably for the adoption of the princi- 
ples of government in which he so firmly 
believed. He married Amanda McMillen, 
a daughter of Alexander McMillen, of Pike 
county, a prominent business man of his 
day. The McMillen family was also from 
Maryland, although the great-great-grand- 
father of our subject was a native of Scot- 
land, whence he emigrated to the new \\x)rld, 
establishing his home in Maryland. 

Dudley Hampton Foster, the subject of 
this review, is a native of Pike county, Ohio, 
his birth having occurred on his father's 
farm there. Under the parental roof he 
was reared and in the schools of the neigh- 



borhcod he acquired his preliminary edu- 
cation, after which he entered the Ohio 
State University, at Columbus, where he 
was graduated in law and arts, completing 
his course in June. 1895. Well prepared 
for his chosen profession by thorough and 
comprehensive study Mr. Foster came to 
Corning in September following his gradu- 
ation and has since been engaged in prac- 
tice here. 

Mr. Foster is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias fraternity and in the Masonic 
order he has attained the Knight Templar 
degree. He is also a member of the Mystic 
Shrine, of Columbus, and holds member- 
ship relations with tlie Benevolent Protect- 
ive Order of Elks. A pleasant, genial man- 
ner and social disposition have made Mr. 
Foster popular with a large circle of friends. 



JAMES F. PURVIS. 



James F. Purvis is a well known repre- 
sentative of the industrial interests of New 
Lexington. It is no longer wars but busi- 
ness development that makes history. The 
progress of the country is not dependent 
upon the conquest of one nation over an- 
other, but is the direct result of industrial 
and commercial activity. The trade rela- 
tions lead to the impro\ement of a section 
and they who are acti\e in business afifairs 
are the real promoters of a country's pros- 
perity. 



^^^ith such may be classed James F. 
Purvis, who is associated with his father, 
A. C. Purvis, in Xew Lexington, in con- 
ducting the Lone Star mill, under the name 
of the Purvis Milling Company, engaged 
in the manufacture of flour. He was born 
in Rush Creek township, Fairfield county, 
one mile from the Perrv count v line and is 
a son of A. C. and Margaret A. (House- 
holder) Purvis. The latter was born in 
Reading township. Perry county, and is a 
daughter of Adam HousehoUler, now de- 



442 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ceased. He came from Pennsylvania to the 
Buckeye state in 1824. taking up his abotle 
in Perry county. He became a very pros- 
perous farmer and a leading and influential 
citizen of his community, and at his death 
left eight cliildren. The paternal ancestry 
of our subject can be traced back through 
several generations to George Purvis, the 
great-grandfather, who came from England 
in 1793. His son. James Purvis, the grand- 
father of our subject, was bnm in Seneca 
county. New York, and when five years of 
age was brought to Obio by his parents. 
He became well known in this portion of the 
state and public positions of trust were given 
into his keeping. He served as deputy sher- 
iff of Delaware and Morrow counties prior 
to the Civil war and as trustee of I'iush 
Creek township, Fairfield county, for thir- 
teen vears, filling that i>osition continuous- 
ly from i860 until 1873. He married Eliza- 
beth (Ross) Clemens, a native of Mary- 
land, who is still living at the advanced age 
of eighty-three years. Her father. Abram 
Clemens, came to Ohio in ])ioneer times. 
arriving in 1821, at which time he entered 
six hundred forty acres of land in Rush 
Creek township, which is still owned by the 
family. His brother. Ephraim Clemens, 
laid out the town of Mount Clemens. Mich- 
igan, in 1808. He was a territorial judge 
of Michigan and was a very ])rominent and 
influential man there. Unto James and 
Elizabeth (Clemens) Purvis were born two 
sons, the elder being the father of our sub- 
ject, while the second was James E. Purvis, 
now living in Bremen, Fairfield county, 
Ohio. Their father ilied January 5. 1900, 



at the age of eighty-two years, but as above 
stated, his widow is still living. 

A. C, Purvis, the father of our subject, 
was born in Morrow county, Ohio, in 1850, 
and in 1852 was taken by his parents to 
Fairfield county, where he was reared and 
educated. For a number of years he was 
actively associated with farming interests 
and is now connected with his son, James F., 
in the milling business. He has ever been 
a practical and progressive man, deeply in- 
terested in the general welfare and doing 
everything in his power to promote public 
progress, while at the same time advancing 
his individual success. After arriving at 
years of maturity he married Margaret A. 
Householder, and they became the parents 
of three sons and four daughters, the 
brothers of our subject being Ed. T., who 
is now living in Bremen, Ohio, and .\. E., 
who is connected with the Ohio Transfer 
Company, of Columbus. The sisters of the 
family are Mrs. John J. McCandish ; Mrs. 
William D. Rufif, who, like her other sis- 
ters, is living in Rush Creek township; and 
Kate and Emma Purvis, who are yet with 
their parents. 

Born on the old family homestead and 
reared under the parental roof. James F. 
Purvis pursued his education in the com- 
mon schools of the neighborhood and in the 
Fairfield Union Academy. He also received 
ample training at farm work and the les- 
sons of industry and perseverance were in- 
stilled into his mind. In the year 1900 he 
came with his father to the city of Xew 
Lexington and joined him in the organiza- 
tion i>f the Purvis Milling Company. They 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



443 



began this business in February, ]3urcliasing 
the old McClellan & Nixon mill on \\'ater 
street, having a capacity of fifty barrels of 
flour per day. They manufacture flour of 
different grades, Ijut make a specialty of the 
brand called "Our Pride,"' which has a 
very good sale, the enterprise meeting with 
creditable success. 

James F. Purvis was united in marriage 
to Miss Dosie Deane, of Port Angeles, 
Washington, and they have one son, Thad- 



eus Clemens, and one daughter, Margaret 
Deane. Mrs. Purvis is a great-great-grand- 
daughter of Silas Deane, who' was minister 
to France during the American Revolution. 
Both our subject and his wife have a wide 
acquaintance in New Lexington, although! 
they have resided here for but a brief period, 
and the circle of their friends is constantly 
increasing. Mr. Purvis is known as a re- 
lialjle and progressive business man and is 
a valued addition to the citv. 



J. I. DAVIS, M. D. 



Among the medical practitioners of Per- 
ry county is numbered Dr. J- I- Da\is, of 
Shawnee, whose practice here is quite ex- 
tensive for one wh(ise connection with the 
profession covers but seven years. He was 
born in Brookfield, Trumbull county, Ohio, 
in 1874, and came to Perry county with his 
parents, \\''illiani E. and Elizabeth ( Murris) 
Davis. His father was a native of South 
Wales and became identified with indus- 
trial interests in Perry county, Ohio. Here 
he became engaged in contracting and op- 
erating in iron ore, cnal and clay, carrying 
on business on a very extensi\'e scale. He 
died in June, 1900. at the age of sixty-eight 
years, and his wife passed away in 1898 
at the age of sixt3'-three years. She was 
a native of Wales and both were of the 
highest respectability. They became the 
parents of twenty-one children, eleven of 



whom are yet living and are residents of 
Shawnee. In the family were Edward, who 
is engaged in contracting in Shawnee ; 
\A'illiam W., a coal operator; Philip, who 
died at the age of twenty-four years ; the 
Doctor ; Gomer and Morgan, who are en- 
gaged ■ in the clay and brick business ; 
Ebenezer, who <lied at the age of twent\- 
one years; George A., who is superintendent 
of the store of the Congo Coal Company, 
at Alodoc, Ohio ; Thomas, who is in the clay 
and brick business; Margaret, tlie wife of 
Herbert Davis; Elizabeth, the wife of Alex- 
ander Humphrey ; Abigail, the wife of Hays 
Parker ; Ellen, the deceased wife of Frank 
Clark; and Ruth, the deceased wife of Jacob 
Scheuster. 

Dr. Davis, of this review, inu'sucd his 
])rcliniinary education in the public schools 
of Ohio and afterward cnntinucd his studies 



444 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in the Oliio State University at Columbus. 
When he had acquired a good literary edu- 
cation to serve as the foundation upon which 
to rear the superstructure of professional 
knowledge he began preparation fur the 
practice of medicine and entered the College 
of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago, and 
later was graduated at the Ohio Medical 
University, at Columbus, in the class of 
1894. He was in the Protestant Hospital 



on the house staff for one year and since 
1895 he has lived in Shawnee, where he has 
built up a good practice. He has pursued a 
post-graduate course in Chicago at the West 
.Side Post-Graduate College and in the New 
York Polyclinic. He is continually reading 
and studying in order to advance in his 
chosen profession, and his proficiency is 
now widely acknowledged, as is indicated 
by the liberal patronage accorded him. 



HENRY HUMBERGER. 



Henrj- Humberger, who is carrying on 
fanning interests in Perry county, his home 
being in Thorn township, was born at the 
place of his present residence on section 26, 
his natal day being December 26. 1842. His 
parents were John and Mary Ann (Bas- 
shore) Humberger. The fajnily is of Ger- 
man lineage and the first American ances- 
tors of our subject settled in Pennsylvania. 
Adam Humberger, an uncle of our subject, 
resided in Somerset and is said to have been 
the inventor of the revolving pistol, although 
he did not get the credit of his invention. 
He was also the first member of the Uni- 
versalist church who ever secured the prom- 
ise of a Methodist Episcopal minister to 
preach his funeral sennon and to tell the 
assembled congregation that he had died 
in the faith in which he had lived. He 
passed away in Xew Le.xington and he was 
widely known as a prominent and honored 



man. The father was born on section 35, 
Thorn township. Perry county, February 
- 22. 1803, and oil the 9th of Octoljer, 1828, 
he led to the marriage altar Miss Basshore, 
whose birth occurred Februarj- 24, 1809. 
She was a daughter of Frederick Basshore, 
who settled near Rushville, Richland town- 
ship, Fairfield county, in 1803, coming to 
Ohio from Pennsylvania. He wedded Mary 
E. Keister. Both Mr. and Mrs. Basshore 
were mem'l)ers of the Reformed Presby- 
terian church and the former died at the 
age of sixty-five years, while the latter 
passed away in her eightieth year. Tlie 
paternal grandfather of our subject was 
Peter Humberger, who came to Perry coun- 
ty in 1802. his brothers, John and Henr)-, 
also IcKating with him in this county on 
section 35, Thorn township. 

John Humberger, the father of our sub- 
ject, resided on section 26. Tliom town- 




HENRY HUMBERGER 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



447 



ship, and engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising until his death, which occurred 
when his son Henry was about three years 
of age. His widow long survived him and 
died about twenty years ago at the old home 
place, when seventy-four years of age. 
They, too, were consistent Christian people, 
belonging to the Lutheran church, in which 
Mr. Humberger served as a deacon. He 
voted with the Democracy, but never cared 
for office. In his family were ten children, 
six of whom are yet living: David, a resi- 
dent farmer of Whitley county. Indiana; 
Frederick, wdio was a farmer of the same 
county and died there at the age of sixty- 
three; Mary Ann, the widow of Simon 
Long, and a resident of Tiffin, Ohio; Eliza- 
beth, who acts as her brother Henry's 
housekeeper and is the widow of Lewis 
Rankin, of Kentucky : Peter, who' was a 
farmer and died in Illinois at the age of 
thirty-five years ; Margaret, who became the 
wife of Barnard Mechling, of Hopewell 
township, Perrv countv. and died in 1863: 
John, who is a minister of the Lutheran 
church in this state; Henry, the eighth in 
order of birth: George W.. who died in 
Nebraska at aliont the age of fifty-six years : 
and Benjamin, who is a farmer and cattle 
raiser o{ Colorado. All of these children 
were born on the old homestead in Perry 
county. 

Our subject remained on his father's 
farm until the breaking out of the Civil war, 
Avhen with patriotic spirit he enlisted in 
Company I, One Hundrerl and Fifty-second 
Infantry. He had gone to that state on a 
visit and enlisted while there, serving until 



the close of the war, when he was honorably 
discharged at Charleston, West Virginia. 
He participated in may skirmishes and after 
recei\-ing an honorable discharge returned 
to his home in this county. He then pur- 
chased the old farm, upon which he has 
since resided and here he has made many 
improvements. The farm comprises one 
hundred and eighteen acres, of which he 
has sold eighteen acres. The land which 
he still owns is under a very high state of 
culti\-ation. He has remodeled the house 
in which he was born, a two-story Iirick 
dwelling, and it is now a very comfortable 
and attractive residence. He also built a 
new barn and has placed his place in an 
excellent state of improvement, successfully 
carr}-ing on general farming and being 
recognized as one of the leading and suc- 
cessful agriculturists of his community. 

On the 14th of April, 1867. Mr. Hum- 
berger wedded Miss Eliza Snyder, a daugh- 
ter of Daniel and Mary (Greenawalt) Sny- 
der, early settlers of Thorn township, her 
father being a prominent farmer there. He 
died in that township at a \-ery advanced 
age. }ilrs. Humlierger was born, reared 
and educated in that township and was a 
conscientious member of the Lutheran 
churcli. She died at her husband's home 
March 11. 1901, at the age of fifty-five 
years and the household thus mourned the 
loss of a de\-oted wife and a kind and lin- 
ing neither. She had three children, all of 
whom still survi\-e her. Mary is the wife 
of Benjamin Franklin Lutz. of Somerset, 
where he is engaged in the grocerv busi- 
ness. He is a native of Plopewell tdwnship. 



448 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Perry county. Tliey have five cliiklren, 
Edith, Floyd, Bessie, Evelyn and Ralph, all 
of whom were born in Somerset. Elva May, 
the second daughter of Mr. Humberger, is 
the wife of Samuel Binckley, a son of 
Aaron Binckley, a resident farmer of Read- 
ing township, and they have three children, 
Nellie, Gladys, and Robert. Oscar, the only 
son of our subject, is now sixteen years of 
age and resides upon the home farm, where 
all of the children were brrn. 

In his political views Mr. TTumberger is 



a Democrat, while in religious faith he is 
a Lutheran. His life has ever been honor- 
able and upright, and he is justly esteemed 
for his genuine worth. Mr. Humberger has 
seen many improveinents made in Perry 
county, for his early recollections tell him 
that there was a large amount of wild land 
which he has seen developed into beautiful 
homes and farms. He is one of the juen 
who have helped to make this a rich agri- 
cultural district, his efforts proving of great 
value to the community. 



T. J. SMITH. 



Connected with those names which ad- 
vance commercial and industrial activity 
and promote progress, thus creating the 
history of the city, state antl nation. Mr. 
Smith is well known in business circles. 
He now owns and conducts an electric light 
plant of New Lexington and his business af- 
fairs in addition to this c. )ver a wide and 
important range. His paternal grandfather 
became one of the pioneer settlers of this 
portion of Ohio and from that time down 
to the present representatives of the family 
have taken an active part in business inter- 
ests of the liDcality. 

T. J. Smith, the father of our subject, 
was born in New Lexington and {ox thirty 
years prior to his death was an enterprising 
merchant here, conducting a gmcery and 
general store, in wliich business he met with 
success. At the time of the Civil war he 



offered his services to the government, en- 
listing in 1861 as a member of Company 
G, Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 
with which he served for three years. He 
was a brave and loyal soldier. ]iartic'pating 
in many important battles and when his 
term was over he returned to his home with 
an honorable military record. He was en- 
gaged in a number of important business 
enterprises which helped to upbuild New 
Lexington. He was the vice-])resident of 
the Perry County Bank, which he aidetl in 
organizing. He was also vice-president of 
the Standard Brick Company of this place 
and built the opera house block here. He 
also laid out and built the town of Rcnd- 
ville. Perry county, and was engaged in real 
estate dealings there and in this city. His 
activity along business lines proved of wide- 
spread benefit and he belmged to that class 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



449 



of rei>resentative American citizens who, 
while advancing individual success, also 
promote the general prosperity. He died in 
1893 at the age of forty-seven years> and 
the conimunity mourned the loss of one of 
its most valued citizens. His wife was Miss 
Magdalene Fox and their only son is the 
subject of this review. Mrs. Smith is iden- 
tified with business affairs here as a member 
of the firm of Smith & Duffy, carrying on 
the business which was established by her 
husband. She was a native of Hocking 
county, Ohio, and possesses excellent ex- 
ecutive force and keen discernment in re- 
lation to business enterprises. Bv her mar- 
riage she became the mother of three chil- 
dren, the daughters being Mary F., the wife 
of Marc L. Dufify, of Xew Lexington, and 
Catherine E., at home. 

T. J. Smith is oiie of the native citizens 



of New Lexington. At the usual age he 
entered the public schools and continued his 
studies here until he had completed the 
high school course. He afterward became 
a student at Notre Dame. South Bend, Li- 
diana, and in the Ohio State University, at 
Columbus. In the latter institution he 
studied electrical engineering and has since 
been connected with many electrical enter- 
prises, including the establishment and con- 
trol of telephone and electric light systems 
in different parts of the state. He is also 
the owner of a plant in this city and his ma- 
chinery here and equipments of all kinds 
are motlern and of the most improved work- 
manship. Mr. Smith is winning constant 
advancement in the line of his chosen pur- 
suit and is already classed among the suc- 
cessful and prosperous men of his home 
town. 



WILLIAM J. MORTAL. 



William J. ]\Iortal , is the editor and 
owner of the Somerset Press, of Somerset, 
Ohio, and throughout liis business career 
has been connected with journalism. He 
was born in Rushville, Fairfield county, 
Ohio, on the i6th of July, 1859. and is a 
son of Albert and Mary (Puller) Mortal. 
In the year 1858 the father of our subject 
located in Rushville. Ohio, while the Puller 
family came to this state from Virginia. 
One child only was l^orn nf the marriage nf 
the parents of our subject. 



William J. Mortal was educated in the 
public schools of Rushville and after putting 
aside his text books he there learned the 
printer's trade, following that pursuit in 
both Rushville and Lancaster. In 188 1 he 
began business on his own account in the 
former town and afterward was located at 
Thornville. He then conducted a daily pa- 
per in Lancaster and was also the owner of 
a jiilil)ing office there, both departments of 
his l)usiness bringing to him a good finan- 
cial return. In 1893 he caitie to Somerset 



4 50 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and in 1895 purchased the Somerset Press, 
which he has developed into a successful 
paper having a circulation of alx)ut one 
thousand copies. This paper is largely 
given to the dissemination of news of gen- 
eral interest as well as matters of a local 



nature. He is found on the side of prog- 
ress, improvement and upbuilding and its 
owner is widely known as a public-spirited 
and enterprising man, who is the champion 
of every measure for the general good of 
liis fellow men. 



DAVID C. KING. 



David C. King, who is living in Glen- 
ford, Perry county, is one of the best known 
citizens and wealthy farmers and stock- 
raisers of this portion of the state. He 
stands to-day among the successful men 
who owe their advancement largely to their 
own efforts and capable business methods. 
Mr. King was bom in Tliorn township. 
Perry county, on the ist of June. i8j8. and 
is a son of Peter and Mary (\^'hitmer) 
King. His father was bom in Germany, 
but when a mere child was brought by his 
parents to America, the family being estab- 
lished in Thorn township. The mother of 
our subject was born in Westmoreland 
county, Pennsylvania. For some years after 
the birth of our subject Peter King resided 
upon a farm in Thorn township and after- 
ward traded his property for the farm of 
one hundred and sixty acres now owned 
l)y his son David. He also received in ex- 
cliange a saw and grist mill located on the 
stream near the farm, and at his new home 
Peter King spent his remaining days, de- 
voting his attention to the operation of his 



land and of his mills until a few years prior 
to his death, when he sold his mills. He 
was drafted for service in the war of 1812, 
just eight months after his marriage, and 
served under General William Henry Har- 
rison until the close of hostilities, when he 
again resumed the farm work. He received 
from the government a quarter section of 
land in Seneca county, Ohio, in recognition 
of his army services. He also purchased 
large tracts of the government, these lieing 
Indian land in Wyandot county, Ohio. By 
his hard work, close attention t > business, 
good, capable management Peter King ac- 
cumulated a handsome competence and was 
widely known as a very successful man. In 
politics he was an old-line Whig and both 
he and his wife were devoted members of 
the Reformed church, of which he was an 
elder for a great many years. He was one 
of the leading members, laboring earnestly 
for the spiritual advancement of the con- 
gregation and contributing liberally to the 
support of the church. Unto him and his 
wife were b tu fourteen children. Sarah 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



45 1' 



became the wife of Alichael Cotterman and 
both are now deceased. Catherine married 
John Smith and they too ha\-e passed away. 
Rebecca is the widow of Isaac Zartman and 
is hving in Hopewell township, Perry coun- 
ty, at an advanced age. Lydia became the 
wife ol Michael Fought, but both are now 
deceased. Susan is the deceased wife of 
Samuel \\'iseman. ]\Iary is the wife of 
Porter Cline and resides in Illinois. Sol- 
omon died at the age of nine years. Peter 
has also passed away. David C. is the next 
of the family. Leah became the wife of 
J. x-Mspaugh. Elizabeth is the wife of Sam- 
uel Alspaugh, of Thornville, Ohio. John 
C. and William are both deceased and 
Frank is living in Newark, Ohio. Peter 
King, the father, died at the age of seventy- 
five years, and he and his wife are now 
resting side by side in St. PauKs cemetery 
in Hopewell township. 

\\'hen a boy David C. King entered the 
district schools of Hopewell township, lint 
his educational privileges were very limited. 
When old enough he was put to work in 
his father's mill and upon the farm and thus 
his youth w^as a period of earnest and un- 
remitting toil. At the age of twenty-two 
years he matle preparation for having a 
home of his own by his marriage to Miss 
Margaret Mechling, the wedding being 
celebrated ^August 29, 1S50. The lady is a 
native of Hopewell township, and a daugh- 
ter of Mr. and ]Mrs. George i^Iecbling, both 
of wdiom are now deceased. 

After his marriage Mr. King left the 
old homestead farm and for seven years 
lived upon the farm belonging to his father- 



in-law, about two miles northwest of Glen- 
ford, in Hopewell township. In 1867 he 
purchased a farm of one hundred and forty 
acres west of Glenford, a distance uf a half 
mile. There he lived until 1875, when he 
removed to the farm which he now occupies. 
This was formerly the home of his father, 
Peter King, and upon it our subject has 
since resided. His life has always been 
a busy and useful one. About 1862 he 
l>egan raising Merino sheep and has con- 
tinued the business since that time. He is 
a large breeder of sheep, having each winter 
from three hundred to five hundred head 
and being one of the leading representatives 
of this line of business in his portion of 
Ohio. His farm comprises one hundred 
and forty-five acres of rich and arable land 
and upon it he has fine buildings, including 
an attractive home and good buildings for 
the shelter of grain and stock. He has 
dealt extensively in real estate and has given 
each of his children a nice farm. His in- 
vestments have been judiciously made and 
as the years have passed his sound business 
judgment has brought him very desirable 
success. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. King have been 
born four children, three daughters and one 
son : Sarah Rebecca, the wife of Frank 
Smith, a resident of Hopewell township; 
Mary Ellen, the wife of J. E. Murdock, also 
a resident of this township ; Emma, who 
died in childhood; and D. H., who is a mu- 
sician and also conducts a farm in Hopewell 
township, where he is extensively engaged 
in breeding sheep. He is a leader of the 
band in Glenford and is very popular in mu- 



452 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sical circles of this locality. He married 
Sarah Fought and they have two children, 
Lolo and Claude. 

Mr. King exercises his right of franchise 
in support of the Republican party. He 
voted a Democratic ticket prior to the Civil 
war, but since that time has never wavered 
in his allegiance to the party which stood 
as a defender of the Union and has ever 
favored the protection of American indus- 
tries, sound money and the upholding of 
the flag on whatever soil it has been planted. 
He and his wife are consistent and faithful 
members of the Reformed church, in which 
he has served as a deacon and elder for 
many years. They have traveled life's jour- 
ney together for more than fifty-one years, 
sharing with each other the joys and sor- 



rows, the adversity and prosperity which 
checker the careers of all. Their friends 
are many and wherever known they are 
held in high esteem for their many excel- 
lent traits of character. Mr. King certainly 
deserves great credit for what he has ac- 
complished in life, starting out with few 
educational or other advantages, he has 
made the most of his opportunities and 
through diligence and enterprise has stead- 
ily worked his way upward to a most grati- 
fying position. At all times he has so lived 
as to deser\e and command the respect of 
those with whom he has been associated 
and his life record proves conclusively that 
success may be won through energy and 
diligence. Mr. King is one who advocates 
indu.^trial acti\'it\- and promotes progress. 



LEVI SHRIDER. 



Levi Shrider, one of the highly respect- 
ed citizens of Perr\- county, residing on his 
farm in Thorn township, was born near 
Somerset, in Reading township, on the i()th 
of October-, 1830, his parents being Peter 
and Elizabeth (Cotterman) Shrider. The 
former was also born in Reading township, 
and was a son of Frederick Shrider, who 
came to Ohio in 1809, from Lancaster coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania. He was either born on 
the ocean while his parents were en route to 
the new world, or shortly after they took 
up their alx)de in Pennsylvania. His father 



was also named I'^rederick and was born in 
Germany, coming to the new world just 
prior to the Revolutionary war. Hie was at 
once pressed into service here and was killed 
at the battle of Brandywine. Frederick 
Shrider was reared in the Keystone state 
and afterward emigrated to Ohio, entering 
land from the government near Somerset 
in Perry county, but was not long permitted 
to enjoy his new home, his tleath occurring 
shortly afterward when Peter Shrider, the 
father of our subject, was only nine months 
old. Peter Shrider was reared in Reading 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



453 



township and continued to live there for 
many years. He learned the trade of wagon 
making, which he followed for thirty years 
and then abandoned that vocation, when 
he purchased a farm in Hopewell township, 
Perry county, where he made a home for 
himself and family, continuing the cultiva- 
tion and improvement of his land through- 
out the remainder of his active business ca- 
reer. He died at the old homstead there 
when he was more than eighty-four 3-ears 
of age. He held membership' in the Luther- 
an church and was a Democrat in his po- 
litical views. He lived during the period 
of the old time state militia, and served as 
a lieutenant in an Ohio company. He was 
a very prosperous and progressive man. 
successful in his life work, owing his ad- 
vancement entirely to his own efforts, for 
he was left without means. His life con- 
duct proved the force of character, of in- 
dustry and enterprise as applied to the act- 
ive affairs of life. Both he and his wife 
were laid to rest in the cemetery of Read- 
ing township. In their family were twelve 
children, the subject of this review being 
the eldest. Nine of the numlier are yet 
living, four daughters and five sons, as 
follows : Levi ; Juliann, the widow of 
Simon Swinhardt : Susan, the wife of Sam- 
uel Grant, of Somerset ; Solomon, a resi- 
dent of Reading township. Perry county; 
David, who resides in Thomville ; William, 
a resident of Hopewell township. Perry 
county ; George, who is living in tlie same 
township ; Lou, the wife of John Edmunds, 
carries on agricultural pursuits in Thorn 
township. Perry county ; and Jane, who is 
living in Hopewell township. Those who 



have passetl away are Lewis, John, and one 
who died in infancy. 

Levi Shrider spent the days of his 
minority under the parental roof and gained 
his education in the subscription schools 
which were common at that time. He as- 
sisted his father upon the heme farm and 
also in the wagon making trade in Read- 
ing township. He afterward removed to 
Hopewell township, remaining on a farm 
for about a year, after which he was mar- 
ried. He then followed wagon making in 
Reading township, devoting his attention 
to that business for a number of years, 
subsequentl}- he worked at the carpenter's 
trade and with the capital he had acquired 
through his intlustry and economy he ytxxr- 
chased a small farm in Reading township,' 
continuing its cultivation for about five 
years. On the expiration of that period he 
sold the property and removed to his pres- 
ent farm on section 20, Thorn township, 
comprising one hundred and forty acres of 
rich land, all of which is now under a high 
state of cultivation. Nearly all of the im- 
provements upon the property are the vis- 
ible evidences of his life of industry and 
toil. Mr. Shrider erected a good substan- 
tial residence and all the necessary outbuild- 
ings for the shelter of grain and stock. He 
placed his land in a condition where it brings 
forth a good har\-est and now is success- 
fully engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising. 

On the 24th of April, 1855, Air. Shrider 
was united in marriage to Miss Caroline 
Anspauch. a daughter of John and Cath- 
erine Ansjiauch, both of whom are now de- 
ceased. Mrs. Shrider died February 7, 



454 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECOKU. 



1867, leaving five children: William Hay- 
den, the eldest, is a resident farmer nf 
Thorn township. He was born March 3. 
1857, and married Miss Alice Crist, by 
whom he has two children, Minta and 
Homer. Samuel Clinton, born Apr.l 3, 
1859, is a machinist, residing in Newark, 
Ohio. He wedded Mary Stiner. and they 
have one child, Beulah. John Peter. b:,rn 
May 27, 1861, is an employe in the gas 
works of Newark, Ohio. He married Ida 
Crist, and their children are Guy, George 
and Jessie. David Edward, wIkj resides in 
Columbus, Ohio, where he is engaged in the 
wholesale liquor business, was born Febru- 
ary 17, i8()3, and married Emma Binckley. 
Levi McClellan, born April 2S, 1865, is en- 
gaged in clerking for his brother David in 
Columbus, Ohio. He married Bernice 
Haynes. 

After the death of his first wife Mr. 
Shrider married Sarah Orr a daughter of 
Joseph and Harriet Orr. She was born in 
Licking county, Ohio. April 23. 183S. and 
died January 10. 1898. In the family were 
six children, all of whom are yet living, 
and ^Irs. Shrider also had one child by her 
first marriage. She was the widow of 
Nicholas Beck when she became the wife 
of our subject. Her son Joseph Beck, was 
seven years of age at the time of her second 
marriage and was reared by Mr. Shrider. 
He resides in Thorn township and is a car- 
penter by trade. He also has a small farm 
there. He married Leah Foster and they 
have two children, Benjamin and Ernest. 
The children born of the marriage of Mr. 
and Mrs. Shrider are Oswell, born in Read- 



ing township, July 3, 1868, now follows 
farming in Thorn township. He married 
Emma Dunav.ay, a native of Fairfield 
county and a daughter of Newton Duna- 
way. They have one child, W'ilbert. 
Estella, born April 28, 1870, is the wife of 
George Rufifner, who is engaged in farming 
and drilling gas wells, his home being in 
Fairfield county. They have four children : 
Fred, Maliel. Florence and Paul. Lewis 
Herman, who was born in Thorn township, 
June 27, 1872, married Bernice Garrett and 
resides in Franklin county, Ohio. Whit- 
mer Arnold, born in Thorn township, Feb- 
ruarv 2^. 1874, resides upon the old home 
farm. Daisy Sedora, born August 9, 1876, 
is the wife of William Wolff, of Jackson 
townsJiii), Perry county, and their home is 
now in Lancaster, where Mr. Wolfif is em- 
ployed as a railroad man. Tliey have one 
child, Ruth. Murray Frederick, the yoimg- 
est child of Mr. Shrider's second marriage, 
was born Deceml>er 5, 1879, and is em- 
ployed in a shoe factory at Lancaster, Ohio. 
The mother of these children was a faithful 
member of the Lutheran church and lived 
an earnest Christian life. 

For his third wife Mr. Shrider chose 
Mary Reaver, the widow of Henry Van 
Dyke and a daughter of Joseph Reaver, 
who became one of the early settlers of 
Perry county. He was a plasterer by trade 
and followed that business throughout his 
active life. Mrs. Shrider was born March 
-3- i^33- ^"'1 i* ^ most estimable lady, 
holding membership in the Methodist 
church. Both our subject and his wife are 
well known people of the community. They 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



455 



reside in their pleasant home in Thorn 
township, Perry county, surrounded by all 
the comforts of life made possible through 
the earnest and untiring efforts of (jur suli- 
ject and honored and respected liy a large 
circle of acciuaintances. 

He is a Democrat in politics and has 
served as land appraiser to the township for 
two terms. For thirteen years he was a 
member of the school board and has also 
tilled other public offices. He belongs to 
the Lutheran church and in that organiza- 
tion has served as deacon. Mr. Shrider has 



witnessed many wonderful changes as the 
w'ork of progress and impmvement has been 
carried on in Perry cnunty. During" the 
period of his early recollection it was very 
wild but as time has passed man has 
wrought many improvements anil this dis- 
trict of the state is now rich in fine farms 
and homes, prosperous towns and thriving 
business interests. In all the work of im- 
pro'vement he has borne his part as becomes 
a good citizen and the circle of his friends 
in this portion of the state is a ven,- exten- 
sive one. 



JOHN w. Mcdonald. 



John \V. McDonald, superintendent of 
the county infirmary of Perry coimty and 
a man well known in this portion of the 
state, was Iwrn April 23, 1874, and is a son 
of James S. and Martha E. (McKinney) 
McDonald. His maternal grandfather was 
a boatman in early life and aided in the con- 
struction of the Hocking- canal. Later he 
became a railr(jad contractor and was thus 
acti\ely identified with the impri i\ement 
and development of various sections of the 
country. The father of our sul)ject was 
born, in ]\Iuskingum C(iunty, Ohio and when 
fi\e years of age became a resident i;f Pike 
township. Perr}- county. 

Our subject spent his entire life in this 
county and lias become widel_v acquainted 
and favorably known. His educational 
prix'ileges were those afforded in, the Oak- 

25 



wood school district, supplemented by a:. 
years attendance at the high school of Xew 
Lexington. After putting aside his text- 
books and entering upcm life's practical 
duties in the fields of business he became the 
owner of a livery stable in Xew Lexington,, 
which he conducted for two years. At the 
age of sixteen years he began teaching audi 
was thus Connected in the district schools 
for about ten years, pro\ing a capable edu- 
cator. He had the ability to impart readily 
and clearl}- to others the kn(!wledge he had 
acquired. Since January, 1901, he has 
occupied his present pnsition as superin- 
tendent of the county infirmary and his 
labors in this office have made his course 
one highly satisfactory to the general 
l)ublic. 

On the 24th of August. 1899, Mr. Mc- 



456 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



IXmaltl was united in marriage to Miss are held in higli regard by their many 

Clara H. Moore, a daughter of Samuel and' friends. In the public office which he is 

Martha Moore, of Milligan. Mr. and Mrs. tilling ^^r. McDonald has displayed marked 

McDonald have one daughter, Xellie C. ahilitw ever striving to serve the liest inter- 

Our subject and his wife have a large circle ests of the i)ul)lic, and is known as a trust- 

of friends in this jiortion of the state and worthy and honorable gentleman. 



A. E. FAINE. 



The name of Mr. b'aiiie is closely inter- 
woven with the business history of Xew 
Straitsville, where he is acting as general 
manager fjr the W. R. Calkins Hardware 
& Lumber Company, having made his 
home here since 1883. covering a pericxl of 
almost twenty years, Mr. I'aine is a native 
of Lawrence county, Ohio, antl a son of 
J. C. and Sarah A. (Rawlins) Faine, who 
also removed to Xew Straitsville in 1883. 
The father was born in \irginia, now West 
Virginia, and belonged to one of the pioneer 
families of that jwrtion of the country. On 
the Rawlins side the family can be traced 
back to an ancestry f)f colonial days. One 
of the representatives of the family .served 
on the stafif of General Wa.shington in the 
war of the Revolution. 

A. E. Faine. of this re\ icw, came with 
his parents tf> Xew Straitsville in 1883 and 
here continued his education, completing his 
ci)ur.<e by graduation in the high school of 
this city with the class of 189J. He after- 
ward turned his attentirai t<> educational 
work and was engaged in teaching in the 



grammar school department for iaxn years. 
In iSt)(i, ho\\e\cr. he tiuMied his attention to 
business interests and entered the hardware 
and lumber business of W. R. Calkins, at 
Hemlock, also the owner of the stores at 
Lorning and Crwiksville. I'.ventually the 
Corning store was sold and the stock at 
Crooksville was taken to Xew Straitsville 
and the Hemlock store was closed. Mr. 
Calkins, as a member of the firm of W. R. 
Calkins i*t Company, is engaged in mer- 
chandising in Columlius, Ohio, and ;it Xew 
I-exington, under the tirm name if W. R. 
Calkins i\: Son. He has a patent on a gas 
stove which is manufactured at Columbus 
and is also engaged in the ni.inufacture of 
sheet iron ware at Xew Lexingti^n. Mr. 
I-'aine is in charge of tiie business at Xew 
Straitsville and is carefully controlling the 
same, his enterprise and good management 
resulting in bringing tt> him creilitable suc- 
cess. 

In iSijO Mr. Faine was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Minnie Calkins, the eldest 
daughter of W. R. Calkins, who formerly 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



457 



resideil at New Straits\'ille 1)ut is now liv- 
ing at Xew Lexington. At one time he 
ser\-e(l as treasurer of tlie county and is 
widely known as a pruminent and enter- 
prising man. ]d.is liusine.ss interests are e.x- 
tensi\e and prove of benetit to the com- 
munity by the promotion of commercial ac- 
tivity. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Faine have been 
])i)rn three children: Cecil, Uarda and 
'Cyril. 

In his fraternal relations Mr. Faine is a 
Mason, belonging to New Straitsx'ille 
Lodge. No. 484, F. & A. I\L. and Xew Lex- 
ington Chapter, No. 149, R. A. M. He 
has recentiv established the New Straits- 



ville Record wiiich he is editing and into 
which lie entered for the .sole purix>se of 
developing the great natural resources of 
the town. In this enterprise he is associ- 
ated with Hiram Campbell, a jjractical busi- 
ness man. Mr. Faine is also the agent for 
the Corning Natural Gas Company at New 
Straitsville and superintends its affairs here. 
In politics he is a Re])ul)lican and for the 
past seven years has taken an active part in 
Perry county politics. In business he has 
achieved success through honorable effort, 
untiring industry and capable management 
and in private life he has gained many 
warm personal friends. 



J. E. POWELL. 



Thrcugh almost a decade J. E. P(.well 
has been a practitioner at the bar of New 
Le.xingtcju and has already won a degree of 
success that many an older member of the 
legal fraternity might well envy. He is a 
native of Hocking county, Ohio, born in 
1S71, and his father, John Powell, was also^ 
a native of that county, where the grand- 
father. Samuel Powell, had located in pio- 
neer days. He became an active factor in 
the substantial improvement and (!e\elop- 
ment of that localitv and erected what was 
known as the Powell Mills, five in number, 
(11 Sunday and Monday creeks. The father 
of ( ur subject was a soldier in the Civilwar 
.at the time when the north and south took 



the field as enemies because the one wished 
to overthrow tlie Union and the other to 
preserve it. John Powell joined the north- 
ern forces and served with the Thirty-first 
Ohio Regiment until he was wounded at the 
battle of Chickamauga and rendered unfit 
for further nn'litarv dutv. 

J. II. Powell, of this review. ac(|uired his 
early education in the cimmion .schools o.f 
Reading township, later c(.ntinued his 
studies in .New Lexington and afterward 
was a student in Delaware, Ohio. When 
his literary course was coniiilete he resolved 
to take up the study of law. As a prepara- 
tion for a life work he entered the law de- 
partment of the Ohio State L'niversity at 



458 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Columbus. Successfully passing his exami- 
nations he was admitted to the bar in De- 
cember, 1893. and at once opened his office 
at New Lexington. In the meantime, how- 
ever, he had been engaged in teaching school 
at Glenford for two years and had been a 
law student in the office of Ferguson & 
Johnson, of New Lexington, so that he had 
thereby gained a practical knowledge of the 
working of the courts. Entering upon his 
practice he showed that he had gained a 
broad and comprehensive knowledge of the 
principles of jurisprudence. Professional 
advancement in the law is proverbially slo\{-, 
but the first element of success is a persist- 
ency of purpose, an effort as untiring as the 
force of gravity. Possessing tiiese qualities 
and preparing his cases with marked care, 
Mr. Powell has steadily advanced until he 
now occupies a very creditable position at 
the bar and is to-day enjoying a distinctive 
representative clientage. 

Mr. Powell was united in marriage to 
Miss Julia Piaird, a daughter of Joseph L 



Baird, formerly uf Xew Stra;ts\ ille but now 
of Junction City. Her people were of an 
old family in this county and one widely 
and favorably known. The home of Mr. 
and Mrs. Powell has been blessed with two 
children : Harold an<l Marion. Frater- 
nally Mr. Powell is connected with the Ma- 
sonic order, in which he has attained to the 
degree of Knight Templar. He was elected 
prosecuting attorney for Perry county, in 
which office his ser\Mce has been most bene- 
ficial. He prosecuted the robbers of the 
Somerset Bank and succeeded in convicting 
them. Six in number, they were all noted 
criminals, and as a result of Mr. Powell's 
vigorous prosecution they were sent to the 
penitentiary to serve for terms of from eight 
to ten years. Our subject is yet a young 
man, l)ut he possesses laudable ambition, 
strong determination and keen mentality, 
and these are qualities which always insure 
success in professional life. His practice is 
already extensive and of an important char- 
acter. 



ELIAS ROUSCULP. 

Elias Rousculp, a well known resident there they remained until after their mar- 

of Reading township. Perry county, was r!age. Both were of German lineag.-. The 

bom in this county on the 24t!i of July, grandfather of our subject k)y.dly served 

1833, in Hopewell township, and is a son of his country in tiie war of 1812. In the year 

Jacob and Ellizabeth (Brocious) Rousculp. 1813 Ja.uh Rousculp emigrated westward 

The father was born in Northumberland and to k u]) his abode in Hope .veil town- 

countv. Pennsylvania, as was his wife, and shi]). Perry cv unty, where he followed farm- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



455 



iiig- tliroughi ut Ills remaining' days. He 
•was quite successful in all his work in this 
direction and as the years passed his labors 
brought to hiin creditable success. He \Yas 
well liked l)y all who knew him, for he pos- 
sessed many sterling traits of character. 
Both he and his wife ha\'e now passed away, 
their remains having been interred in the 
St. F*aul cemetery, in Hopewell tcwnship. 
They held membership in the Lutheran 
church and were consistent members of the 
same and good Christian people. ^Ir. R. lus- 
culp served as a deacon and elder in his 
church for a number of years. In his politi- 
cal views he was a Whig. 

I'nto him and his wife were born twelve 
children, six sons and six flaughters. Mar- 
garet Ijecame the wife of Daniel Ridenour, 
both of whom are now deceased. ]\Iary is 
the wife of William Stalter. both of whom 
are now li\ing in Hopewell tdwnshi]). 
Anna died in childhood. Levi resides in 
Allen county, Ohio. Elias is the fifth in 
order of birth. Martha is the <Ieceased wife 
of Samuel Lentz. Noah died at home when 
serving as a member of the One Hundred 
and Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry 
in the L'nion army. William, now deceased, 
was a member of the same regiment. Eliza- 
beth is the wife of Rernanl Swinehart. a 
resident of Hopewell township. Emma is 
the deceased wife of Aaron Albert, and 
Malancthon has also passed away. 

Elias Rousculp received but limited edu- 
'Cational pri\-ileges. attending the district 
schools in Hopewell township through the 
winter months and throughout the re- 
mainder of the vear he assisted his father in 



the \v(jrk of the home farm. He lived at 
home with his father until after the Ci\'il 
war was inaugurated. h\ May. 1863, 
prompted by a spirit of patriotism he en- 
listed at Somerset. Ohio, as a member of 
Compau}- G. One Hundred and Sixtieth 
O'hio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered 
out in September of the same year at Zanes- 
ville. After his return from the war he re- 
mained upon the old home farm until 1866, 
when he was married and established a 
home of bis own. 

In that year Mr. Rousculp was united in 
marriage to Miss Martha Irene Church, a 
nati\'e of Reading tmvnship and a daughter 
of Da\'id and Mary Church, both of whom 
are now deceased. After their marriage our 
subject and his wife removed to Pleasant- 
ville, Eairfield county, where he remained 
until 1868. He then' purchased his present 
farm (jf one hundred and twenty-five acres 
in the northern part of Reading township, 
Perry county, where he now resides. Here 
he carries on general farming and stock- 
raising, and his methods are practical an'd 
]jrogressi\-e. as is exidenced h\ the excellent 
condition of his place. His well tilled tiekls 
return to him a good income and as the 
years pass he is maintaining a place among 
the sulistantial and respected residents of his 
community 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Rousculp 
has been blessed with nine children : Ida 
became the wife of Owen Ridenour, a resi- 
dent of Hopewell township, aiid they have 
f(.iur children, Carl A.. Nellie I'lorence, 
I-ldgar Ray and Martha Grace. Mary is the 
wife of Elmer Cotterman, of Hopewell 



460 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tovvnslii]). and they ha\e five sons, Renan 
Guy, Homer Ray, Charles Lester, William 
Roy and Miran Oscar. William is living in 
Oregon. David, a resident of Hopewell 
township, married Florence Chalfant, and 
they have two children, Alfred Chalfant 
and Helen Fern. The younger members of 
the family are Albert, Emma. Ella and 
Blanche, all at Imnie. Oscar, who was the 
seventh in order of birth, is deceased. 

Tn his jwlitical views Mr. Rousculp has 
long been an earnest Republican, having 
firm faith in the principles and iwlicy of the 



party. He and his family are members of 
the Lutheran church and he is serving as 
one of the elders of St. Paul's church in 
Somerset. He takes an active interest in 
promoting the cause of Christianity and as 
a citizen has co-operated in many move- 
ments for the general good along the lines 
(jf progress and improvement. He has 
always lived in Perry county, and that many 
of his stanchest friends are numliered among 
those who have known him from boyhood 
is an indication that his has been an honor- 
able and upright career. 



CHARLES J. E. LAUTENSCHLAGER. 



Charles J. E. Lautenschlager, a well 
known resident of (llenford, Hopewell 
township. Perry county, and one whose 
efforts in behalf of right of moral develop- 
ment and of Christianity have l)een a potent 
influence in the affairs of tlie community in 
which he has lived, is pastor of St. Paul's 
and the Good Hope Evangelical Lutheran 
church of the joint synod of Ohio and other 
states. He was born in Owen countx', Indi- 
ana, on the 15th of March. i86c), ruid is a 
son of the Rev. J. F. Lautenschlager, who 
was also a Lutheran minister. His mother 
bore tlie maiden name of Leah Cobel, and 
both are now deceased. 

Amid the refining influences of a good 
Christian home Mr. Lautenschlager of this 
review was reared, and the careful training 
of his ])arents left its impress for good upon 



his life. Fortunate is the man who has back 
of him an honorable ancestry and happy is 
he if his lines of life are cast in harmony 
therewith. In i>erson. in talents and in 
character Mr. Lautenschlager is a worthy 
representative of his race. He began his 
education in the district schools of Owen 
county, Indiana, but desiring to further per- 
fect his knowledge he afterward entered the 
Ca])ital Lnivcrsitx' at Columbus, Ohio, in 
the year 1892. and was graduated in 1896 
on the comi)letion of full classical course, 
being selected valedictorian by a class of six- 
teen. He then took a three years' course 
in theology in the same uni\ersit\' and was 
graduated in 1899, whcreuiion he was or- 
dained to the ministry and followed a call 
which he had received some months pre- 
vious to Glenford, Ohio. He had de- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



461 



temiined to devote his life to this holy call- 
ing and his first pastorate is the one of 
whicli he is still in charge — the churches of 
St. Panl's and Good Hope. He is laboring 
untiringly, earnestly and with steadfast 
purpose in his efforts to spread the gospel 
and uplift mankind and his labors are not 
without desirable results. He is a young 
man of strong intellectuality, of jjroad read- 
ing and of marked consecration. The two 
churches of which he has charge are situ- 
ated al)out three and one-half miles apart 
and have a combined membership of three 
hundred and fifty. Tlie x'arious societies 
and departments of the churches are now 
in good working order and Mr. Lanten- 



schlager deserves great credit for what he 
has already accomplished here in the way 
of extending the influence of the church and 
promoting its efticiency. 

On tlie 29th of June, 1899, Charles J. E. 
Lantenschlager was united in the holy bonds 
O'f matriniKHiy to Miss Emma Elsass. a na- 
tive of ^\'aynesburg. Ohio, and they have 
two children, Emma Esther and Paul 
Elsass. Our subject and his wife are one in 
their efforts to advance the cause of Chris- 
tianity among their fellow men and both 
are well known and highly esteemed not 
only among the people of their own denomi- 
nati(Tn but among the representatixes of 
other churches as well. 



C. W. KING. 



On the roster of county officials in 
Perry county appears the name of C. \V. 
King, who is filling the position of sheriff 
and makes his home in New Lexington. 
He was born in ]\Iorgan county, Ohio, and 
is a son of J. S. and Octavia J. (Clayton) 
King. His father was a native of Pennsyl- 
\-ania and when a liov came to Ohio with 
his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John King, who 
located in Morgan county at an early day. 
In the year 1869 J. S. King brought his 
famih' to Perry county, settling in Bearfield 
township, where they resided upon a farm 
until 1 89 1, when they remo\-ed to Oakfield. 
Mr. King is there living a retired life at the 



present time. Pie was long connected with 
agricultural pursuits and is now" resting in 
the enjoyment of the fruits of liis former 
toil. 

C. W. King, of this review, was only a 
year old when he was brought by his parents 
to Perry county, and in the public schools 
of Bearfield township he pursued his edu- 
cation, continuing his studies in the high 
schodl of New Le.xington. He afterward 
engaged in teaching school for three years 
in this countv and then turned his attention 
to different business interests. He has been 
quite active in political circles since attain- 
ing his majorit}- and endorses the tnen and 



462 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



measures of the Repiil)lican ]>arty. Called 
to public office by his fellow townsmen, who 
recognized liis worth and ability, he served 
for one year as assessor and for two terms 
was treasurer of Monroe township. In 
1900 he was elected sherifif of the county 
and entered upon the duties of the office 
which he is now discharging without fear 
or favor. 

In this county Mr. King was joined in 
wedlock to Miss Clara \\'allace, a daughter 
of William Wallace, now deceased, who 



formerly lived in Pleasant township and 
was a soldier in the Union army during the 
Civil war. Unto Mr. and Mrs. King has 
been l)orn one scjii. Lloyd Dwight. Mr. 
King having spent almost his entire life in 
this county, is widely known and the 
traits of his character are such as win him 
the g(XKl will and confidence of those with 
wh('m he has Ijeen associated. He is now 
regarded as a popular and efficient officer, 
his name inspiring confidence in all law- 
abiding citizens. 



AARON BINCKLEY. 



Among the well known residents of 
Reading township is Aan.'n Piincklew who 
was burn Xoxember 7. 1835. upon the farm 
which he now occupies. He is a son of 
David and Xancy ( Beachler) Binckley and 
a representative of one of the old families 
of the county. His father was born upon 
the same farm. The grandfather, Adam 
Binckley. was a son of Christian' Binckley, 
who came from Maryland to Ohio in 1801. 
In \~n^ be had visited this locality and 
then returned to Maryland after entering 
about two sections of land, a part of which 
lay iu' l-"airfield county, while the remainder 
is in i'erry county. He then spent alKXit 
three years in M;ir\],'nid. ;nid in iSoi 
brought his family to I'erry county. Ohio. 
That year he built a log cabin near the pres- 
ent attractive residence of our subject. 



This was the first permanent settlement 
made in I'erry county. Tlie name of 
Binckley is thus inseparably interwoven 
with the history of this ]K)rtion of the state. 
The first trip which Christian Binckley 
made was on horseback and he traveled 
o\er roads that lay through deep forests 
and even had to make his way where there 
was no road at all. His children were 
John. Jacob. Henry. Christian and Adam. 
The last named was the youngest of the 
family. Christian Binckley died in 1832, 
at the age of ninety-four years. He was 
buried in the old churchyard which had 
been gi\en lt\ him to the peo|)le of the 
nei.ghlx>rho(Kl in which he lived in 1825. 
.\dani Binckley. the grandfather of our 
subject, married Miss Ansi>ach, who lie- 
longed to an old family of that name which 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



463 



was established here about 1804. He was 
a very higlily educated mau for his day. 
He ser\-ed as the lirst commissioner of 
Perry county and was a major in tlie war 
of 1 81 2, serving- under General Harrison at 
the siege of Fort Meigs. He filled the office 
of justice of the peace for several years and 
in 18 1 8 became county commissioner at the 
time of the organization of the county. He 
died in 1861, at the advanced age of eighty- 
two years. In his family were six children: 
Samuel ; David, the father of our subject : 
Nancy, the wife of William Clunn; Chris- 
tian; Mary, the wife of Michael Miller; 
and Jnhn. Adam Binckdey, the father of 
this family, was a Democrat in his political 
views and took an active and earnest inter- 
est in political affairs. He was a member 
of the Reformed church and did exerything 
in his power to advance the cause of Chris- 
tianity. He owned a section of land here 
and divided it among his children. 

David Bhickley. the father of our sub- 
ject, received but limited educational pri\i- 
leges, but had a bright and retenti\-e minrl 
and became well informed. He always 
lived upon the farm where Ins birth oc- 
curred and there he died in 1863, at the age 
of fifty-fi\e years. He held niemliership in 
the Reformed cIuutIi, and cast his last 
presidential vote for the Union candidate, 
John Bell. In his Ixisiness affairs he pros- 
pered and accumulatefl four hundred acres 
of land in Perry and Fairfield countie^. In 
his fannly were nine cliildren ; Albion, 
Marion, Aaron, Thomas. Warner, \\'illiam, 
Mary Ellen. William and Le Roy. Onr 
subject and Le Roy are the only ones now 



living, the latter making his home in Bre- 
men, Ohio. 

For alxjut three terms Aaron Binckley 
jjursued his education in a select school in 
Somerset, but otherwise acquired his school 
discipline in the district schools. At the 
age of se\enteen years he went to Allen 
county, Ohio, where he engaged in teaching 
school, making his home there for eight 
months. He began the study of medicine 
but decided to abanidon his plan of becom- 
ing a physician. He made his home for a 
time upon the old family homestead but 
could not stand the confinement of the 
work. Until 1873 he rented land, when he 
fell heir to a part of his father's property. 
He then purchased the interest of the other 
heirs in the old homestead, comprising two 
hundred acres of valuable land. Since that 
time he has fenced the land. The Iniildings 
ha\-e all been> erected by our subject with 
the exception of the old barn which was 
built by his father in 1839. This he has re- 
niivdeled and nothing but the frame of the 
i:lil barn is left. 

In 1859 Mr. Binckley was united in 
marriage to Miss Catherine Boyer, a natixe 
of Thorn township. At that time Mr. 
Binckley was engaged in teaching. Eight 
children have been l)orn of this marriage: 
W illiam. who wedded Susan \'ogle, resides 
in b'airfield county. Emma is the wife of 
Da\-id Shrider, a resident of Lancaster, 
Ohio. ]\larv is at home. Sanmiel, who 
lives near our subject, married Elva Hum- 
berger. b}- whom he has three children, 
Nellie. Cladys and Robert. Dora Alice 
is the wife of Edward Handy, a resi- 



464 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



(lent of Thorn township, and they have five justice of tlie peace oi Reachng townsliip. 
children — Beulah. Clifford, Cirace. Chester He holds nieiiibership in the Lutheran 
and Maljel. Louisa is the wife of Harry church, of wliich he has served as trustee. 
Laml), a resident of Lancaster, Ohio, and For many years he successfully carried on 
they have one daughter, Leila B. Leefa is general farming and stock-raising, but now- 
deceased. David, who resides at home, he is living a retired life and his rest is well 
married Zema Moorehead and they have merited and richly deserved, fi.r in former 
one child. years he was a \ery acti\e and energetic 
Mr. Binckley now owns atout three man. He belongs to one of the old and 
hundred acres of lan<l in Perry and Fair- honored families of the county and his life 
field counties. In his political views he is a has ever been in harmony with the un- 
Democrat and for twenty-one years was sullied family re])utation. 



JUDGE MAURICE H. DONAHUE. 

The legal profession demands not only shii), this county, on the 10th of May, i<S63.. 

a high order of abilit\- but a rare combina- His paternal grantlfather was a son of 

tion of talent, learning, tact, patience and Maurice Donahue, who owned a large estate 

industrv. The successful lawyer and the in Cariicknacurra, Ireland. Herbert Dona- 

ct mpetent judge must lie a man of well lial- hue, his eldest son, involved this estate and 

anted iiilellect. tliordugbly familiar with the the grandfather of our subject came to 

law and practice, of comiijrehensive general America with his family owing to these ve- 

information. jyossessed of an analytical verses. The family name was ori.ginally 

mind an<l a self control that will enable him O'Donoghue and the old estate had been in 

to lose his individuality, his |)ersona1 feel- possession of the family for many genera- 

iugs. his prejudices and his ]>cculiarities of tions. MatuMcc Donahue, the father of our 

disjwsition in the dignity, impartiality and subject, was Ixini at Carricknacurra, Ire- 

equitv of the oftice to which life, jirojierty land. He was a stone mason and contractor 

right and liberty must look for protection, and with his brother John had UKSt of the 

Possessing these c|ualities. Judge Maurice .stone contracts on the Muskingum river im- 

l-f. Dorahue merits the hi.gh honor which jirovemcnts. He married Miss Louisa 

was conferred upon him bv his election to O'Xeill. a dau.ghter of Patrick O'Xeill, who 

the circuit court of the fifth Ohio circuit, married Cliristina .\ustenber.g. a member of 

The Judge was born in Monroe town- a wealtliy (iernian family ami a nati\e of the- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



465. 



fatherland. On completing her education 
Mrs. O'Neill went with her brother, who 
was the owner and captain of a vessel, upon 
a voyage arounid the world. In New York- 
she met Patrick O'Neill, who had just come 
from Ireland. It was almost a case of lo\e 
at first sight, and the young people plighting 
their troth were married. Mrs. O'Neill ac- 
companied her husliand to his home in 
Philadelphia, where he became a very pros- 
perous and prominent man. He owned •ex- 
tensive coal mines at Nelsoniville, but after 
successfully operating his mhies for a time 
he met with reverses in the east and came 
to Perry county, Ohio, locating upon a farm 
in Monroe township. After her father had 
met with financial reverses, Mrs. Donahue, 
his daughter, engaged in teaching school in 
Monroe townshi]3. She had accpiired a 
superior education in Philadelphia and was 
therefore well prepared for such a wurk. 
Mr. Donahue, the father of our subject, 
died March 10, 1863, and his wife passed 
away Feliruary 4, 1902. They left one son 
besides i.ur suljject, namely, Charles A. 
D( nahue, who was educated in the schools 
of this county and is now a member of the 
firm of Donahue & Spencer: and one daugh- 
ter, Mary, who is married and resides in 
Kansas. Two children, Laurence and Tena, 
died shortly after reaching maturity. 

Judge Donahue, of this review, has 
spent liis entire life in Perry county and 
inu'sued his literary education in the public 
scho(;ls. .\t the age of si.xteen vears he be- 
gan teaching school, which profession he 
followed for five years, being superintend- 
ent of the Corning public schools two years 



of that time. W'hai seventeen years of age 
he took up the study of law under the tutor- 
ship of A. H. W'lard, formerly of Perry 
county. Hax'ing been admitted to the bar 
at Columbus in 1884 he located for practice 
in Corning, this county, and in 1887 ^^"^^^ 
elected prosecuting attorney of the county, 
filling the position so capably that he was re- 
elected in 1890. He then rennived to New 
Lexington, where he dischargetl the duties 
i>f the ofifice in addition to the superin- 
tendence of a large private practice. He be- 
came a member of the firm of Donahue & 
Donahue, and later Donahue, Spencer & 
Donahue, the partners being Charles A. and 
Maurice H. Donahue ami Judge C. E. Spen- 
cer. Since the elevation of our subject to 
the circuit bench the firm is Donahue & 
Spencer. In 1900 our subject was elected 
judge of the circuit court and is now serv- 
ing on the bench. 

In 1889 was celebrated the marriage of 
Judge Donaliue and Miss Martina Johnson, 
a daughter of J. J. Jojm.som, president of 
the Perry County Bank, of New Lexington, 
who has also been quite prominent in public 
affair-', serving for two terms as county 
sheriff and for a similar period as county 
treasurer. Unto the Judge and his wife 
were horn two children : Zita and Pauline, 
but the latter died at the age of eleven- 
months. 

In connection with his practice ludge 
Donaliue has also been active in the control 
of important enter])rises in this portion of 
the state. He is now the president of The 
Coyle Coal Company, ojjerating mines at 
Nugent\-ille, Ohio, and is also president of 



^66 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



i lie iJear Rim Lual Company. He is 
likewise president of the Board of Trade of 
New Lexington. In politics he is a Demo- 
crat and is a member of the Catholic church. 
The practice of law has been his real life 
work and at the bar as well as on tiie bench 
he has won marked distinction. A man of 
unimpeachable character, of unusual intel- 
lectual endowments, with a thorough under- 



standing,' of the law. patience, urbanity and 
industry. Judge Donahue took to the bench 
the very highest (lualifications for the most 
resiK)nsible ofifice of the state government 
and his record as a judge has been in har- 
mony with his record as a man and a law- 
yer, distinguished by unswerving integrity 
and a masterful grasp of every problem 
which has presented jtself for solution. 



THOMAS B. WILLIAMS. 



Thomas P.. Williams is one if tlie 
younger memljers of the Perry county bar 
Avho has attained distinction and success 
that many an older professional man might 
well cn\y. He has ser\'ed as i)rosecuting 
attorne}- of the county and is now enjoying 
a distinctively representative clientage as a 
member of the legal fraternity of New Lex- 
ingtou. Mr. Williams is a native of Ponie- 
roy. CJhio. where his birth occurred Janu- 
ary 5. 1870, his parents Ijeing Benjamin 
and Elizabeth (Johnson) Williams, both of 
whom were natives of Wales, whence they 
came to the new world in iX'')3, taking up 
their abode in Xiles, Ohio, whence they re- 
moved to Pomeroy and afterward went to 
New Straitsville, Perry county, Ohio. • The 
father was a miner by occupation and his 
wages were barely sulilicieiu to provide the 
necessities of life for his family without 
giving them any special advantages. 

From an earl\- a<re Thomas P.. W^ill- 



iams has been deijendent up mi lis own 
eft'orts. Before he was ten years of age he 
began work in the mines and followed that 
pursuit whenever there was work to d) until 
after he had graduated from the public 
schfK/ls. He attended school in Pomeroy and 
in New Straitsville and at length was grad- 
uated in the high school at the latter ])lace 
in the class of i88(). He then continued to 
work in the mines until he had acquired 
capital suliicieiit to enable him to pursue his 
legal studies, for he had determined to make 
the practice of law his life work. He thus 
early showed forth the elementary strength 
of his character and his strong purpose and 
untiring energy have been salient features 
in his career, as he has steadily progressed 
toward success. He has earned his daily 
bread from childhood and has not only 
achieved a good, lil>eral education but also 
prepared for the bar and won his degree in 
the C inciimnti T.aw .School, in which he was 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



467 



graduated with the class of 1892. He then 
tiiok up the practice of law, at once opening 
an office in New Straitsville. where within 
a short period he has already gaine^l recog- 
nition as a lawyer of ability, manifesting 
liis proficient knowledge of law and his 
ready applicatidu of legal principles by the 
way in which he conducted the legal lousi- 
ness entrusted to his care. In the fall of 
1893 he was elected prosecuting attorney 
for Perry county and after practicing for 
eighteen months at New Straitsville he re- 
moved to New Lexington, where he has 
since remained. He discharged his official 
duties with such ability and prtmiptness that 
he was re-elected for a second term in 1896, 
and upon his retirement from the office he 
resumed the private practice of law and now 
has a large clientage. 

In the year 1893 ]Mr. Williams was 
united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Griffith, 
a native of Wales, and a daughter of David 
D. Griffith, of ^^'hiting, Indiana. They now 
have two interesting children : Elbert and 



Margaret. Oiu" subject and his wife have a 
large circle if friends in Xew Lexington 
and enjiiv the regard of those with whom 
they have been Ijrdugbt in contact. Fra- 
ternally Mr. Williams is connected with the 
Alasonic order, with the Knights of Pythias 
and with the Independent Order cf Odd 
Fellows. In his political views he is a Re- 
publican and has been an active and helpful 
member of the county committee. He has 
served as a member of the city ciiuncil of 
Xew Lexington and in the discharge of his 
official duties has manifested capability 
and trustworthiness that has won for him 
the highest esteem. ]\Ir. Williams has ac- 
complished much in life, although he is but 
a young man. Dependent upon his 1 wn re- 
sources for a lix'ing from an earl}- age, he 
has watched his opportunities, has matle the 
most of his advantages and as the years 
have passed has steadily progressed until he 
now occupies a most creditable and honor- 
able position as a citizen and as a member 
of tlie bar. 



PETER P. MECHLING. 



The Mechling family is one well known (rnc;rnian) Mechling. He was born in 
in Perry countv. It was established here Hopewell township. May 16, 1847. His 
about a century ago and from that time un- father was a native of Westmoreland coun- 
til the present representatives of the name ty, Penn.sylvania, born cai the 4tb uf De- 
have been loval and active in citizenship ceniber, 1804, and was a s<in <'f Jacob and 
an<l reliable and progressive in business Mary, who were also natives of \\'esimore- 
affairs. The subject of this review is the land cunty. The mother of our subject 
youngest son of Samuel and Magdalena was liorn in the sontlicrn part of Ho]iowell 



468 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



township and was a daughter of Bernard 
and Elizaheth j'oorman. On tlie 24th of 
April. 182.4. she gave her iiand in marriage 
to Samuel .Mechling and unto them were 
I)(.rn six children: Simon P., who was 
Ixjrn Mav 10. 1835, died Feliruary 3. i860; 
Bernard, born April 21, 1837, died April 
J/. 1896; Hannah, born November 26, 
1839. *^''^*1 January 2j. 1842: Daniel, burn 
Aiiril 8. 1842. died March 11. 1S46: Eliza, 
Ixirn July 3. 1844, is the wife of Simon 
karick and resides in Thornville. Ohio ; 
and Peter P. is the youngest of the family. 
Samuel Mechling received but limited edu- 
t^ational privileges, pursuing his studies in 
an old log school house common at that 
time, but through his industry and enter- 
prise as a farmer he became a very success- 
ful man. In his jn litical \iews he was a 
Democrat, and both be and bis wife were 
members of the Lutheran church and tnok 
. an active interest in church work. He 
passed away in 1849. at the age of forty- 
five years, when our subject was about 
twenty-two months old. His wife died 
February 24. 1892. at the a.ge of seventy- 
seven years, and Inih arc interred in St. 
Paul's cemetery in I lopcwell township. 
Sanuiei Mechling was a man if marked 
worth, his character was e\cr lieyond re- 
proach and in bis business dealings he was 
e\er just and honorab'c. He so managed 
his business interests that as the years 
passed he gained a coiufnitable competence, 
being one of the prosperous and successful 
farmers of the community. 

Peter P. Mechling obtained his edu- 
cation in the district schools of Hopewell 



township and in the high school of Somer- 
set, Ohio, which he attended for a short 
time. He always remained with his mother 
until hi> marriage, which impi.rtant e\ent 
in bis life occurred on the 8th of Decemlier, 
1872. the lady of his choice being Miss 
Frances Orr. a daughter of Hiram and 
Mary Orr. wim were natives of Bowling 
Green township. Lickhig county, Ohio, antl 
are now residents of Illinois. After his 
marriage Mr. Mechling removed to his 
present farm, which adjoins the farm ujxju 
which he was born, and there he began life 
in a log house, but be now has a large and 
attractive residence, wliicb is indicative of 
the prosperous career which be has Jed. 
The brick was burned upon the farm and 
the hduse was erected in 1877. He also 
built commodious barns and mailc either ex- 
cellent improA'ements up'ii bis ])lace. which 
shews that he is a man of progressive and 
practical ideas. He owns three hundred 
and forty acres of rich and arable land, 
which is de\-oled to general farming and 
stock-raising. He makes a specialty of the 
raising (f hogs and cattle for the market 
and liis sale of these annually increases his 
income to a gratifying extent. 

'I'be home of Mr. and Mrs. Mechling 
has ])ecn blessed with five children : Hiram 
Orval. b.'rn August 22. 1873, is a druggist 
at Thornville. Oliio: Rosella, born Decem- 
ber 1'). 1874. died on the 251b <ii" Oct(.iber, 
1883: Bertha ICdith. born J.muary 17, 
1878, married William II. W'alser. and \i 
living ill ll<)]iewell township: l""rank D. and 
Fred S.. twins, born June 13. 1882. are 
at biinie. .Mr. .Mechling and his family are 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



469 



memliers of the Lutheran clnircli, nf which 
lie ser\-ed as trustee for a time. In politics 
he is a Democrat and for eleven years has 
ser\-e(l as treasurer of Hopewell tmvnship, 
while at the present time he is hlling- the 
office of justice of the peace. He has e\er 
discharged his official duties with prompt- 
ness and fidelity and his public career has 
therefore g-ained him commendatii n and re- 
spect. In his business affairs i\Ir. Mechling 
has prospered from year to year, and his 



life stands as an exemplification of what 
can be accomplished through determined 
purpose when guided by srauid practical 
judgment. Starting dut upnn his business 
career with small capital he has steadily 
ad\-anced and is to-day the owner of two of 
the finest farms of his township, their well 
tilled fields, good buildings and rich 
meadow land all being indicatix'e of the 
progressive and enterprising spirit of the 
owner. 



EDWIN S. CULVER. 



For some time Edwin S. Cuher, now a 
resident of Glouster, Ohio, occupied the in> 
portant position of general bu_\'er and head 
bookkeeper for the Columbus & Hocking 
Coal I't Iron Company at Xew Straitsville, 
operating mine No. 3 at this place. In that 
position he had the supervision of four hun- 
dred nien and controlled the operations <;f 
the iron furnaces. He enjoyed in an un- 
qualified degree the confidence i:f the com- 
pany which he represented and was well 
worthy of its trust. 

The Culver family, to which our sub- 
ject belongs, is of English Puritan ancestry, 
the line of descent being traced back tn the 
Ma\fliiwer. From Connecticut representa- 
tives of the family came to Ohio- in 179'') and 
established a home at Marietta. One of 
these was Reuben Culver, the grandfather 
of our suliject. who l>ecame identified with 



pioneer life in the Bucke}-e state and aided 
in laying broad and deep the foaindation for 
the present development and prosperity of 
this commonwealth. He married Olive 
Buell. a daughter of TinKilliy lUiell, who 
ser\-ed as an officer in the militia in an early 
day, participating in the battle of Stoning- 
ton during the Revolutionary war. Crom- 
well B. Culver, the father of our subject, 
was born in Ohio January 15, 1803, and 
after arriving at years of maturity he mar- 
ricfl Sarali J. I'crry, a daughter (.f Peter 
Perry, who was born in h'ranklin county. 
Ohio, where for many years he made his 
home. He was an uncle of Commodore 
I'errv. who won f.-inie in the naval battle of 
Lake Erie, and whose famous message, 
"Wt have met the enemy and they are ours," 
has become a matter of history. 

Edwin S. Culver, of this review, was 



470 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



born in tlic okl town of Gore, in Hocking 
county, Ohio. March _'i, i85(>. He was 
tliere reared and educated, also pursuing 
his studies to some extent in Logan, Ohio. 
In May, 1879, lie entered the employ of the 
Thomas Iron Works Company, witli which 
he remained until the ist of March, 1883, 
^\h^.■Il he l>ecanie connected with tlie C'olum- 
hiis & Mocking Coal & Iron Company as its 
chief clerk. At Xew Gi>re he was justice of 
the peace and postmaster while residing 
there, thus taking an active part in public 
affairs as well as in business life. In 1885 
he removed to P.uchtel. in the employ of the 
same com])aiiy. continuing at that place until 
1893, when he came to Xew Straitsville to 
acce]it the ])osition of general buyer and 
head liookkcejier for the Columbus & Hock- 
ing Coal \- Iron (."ompany. Much responsi- 
bility lested up<'n him and he was fully 
equal to the task and controlled the exten- 
sive business interests here in a manner that 
brought ijrosperity to the com])any and at 
the same time enaliled the corporation to 
pay him a good salar)-. 

In the county of his nativity Mr. Culver 
was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Ben- 



nett, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah A. 
(Lentz) Bennett. The Lentz family came 
from Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio 
in pioneer times and in 1853 Daniel Ben- 
nett removed from Wilkesbarre, Pennsyl- 
vania, to Hocking county. L^nto Mr. and 
Mrs. Culver have been born four children : 
Thea Edith, born September J5, 1885; 
Cromwell B., born December 27. 1887; Ed- 
win Germaine B., born July 11, 1892; and 
Margaret C, born August 3, 1896. Mr. 
and Mrs. Culver have a wide circle of 
friends in this locality and the hospitality 
of the best hi>mes of New Straitsville was 
extended to them during their residence 
here. Here Mr. Culver served as notary 
jntblic. He is a well known and valued 
nienil)er of the Masonic fraternity, belong- 
ing to the blue lodge, chapter and council. 
He is largely a self-made man, who, with- 
out pecuniary or other advantages to assist 
him at the outset of his career, has steadily 
worked his way upward. He hail a laud- 
able ambition to attain something better in 
life and has steadily advance<l to a promi- 
nent position in the commercial circles of 
the state. 



WILLIAM SNIDER. 

William Snider is closely associated mills, ami in the conduct of these enter- 

with the business interests of Perry county jirises is meeting with excellent success, his 

and of southeastern Ohio as a representa- business also proving of benefit to the com- 

tive of industrial circles. He owns and munity. It has been said that the man 

operates five sawmills and two planing who i)ays over his counters each week a 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



471 



large sum of money to workmen does more 
for his country than he who leads an armed 
host forth to battle. Employing men in his 
mill, Mr. Snider is thus contributing to the 
general pnisperity and at the same time is 
W'inning for himself gratifying anfl credit- 
able success. 

Mr. Snider was born February 20, 
1856, in Clayton township, Perry cnunty, a 
son of Peter and Eleanor (Dean) Snider. 
His father was born in Maryland in 1816 
and was a son of Nicholas Snider, who 
about 1 818 removed from' Maryland to 
Ohio, entering land from the government 
one mile north of Somerset, in Reading 
township. This he cleared and improved, 
de\'eloping there a good farm, upon which 
he spent his remaining days. His sou, 
Peter Snider, was reared here anu'd pioneer 
conditions, became familiar with the work 
of field and meadow in early youth and 
after attaining man's estate he purchased 
land in Clayton township, whereon he made 
his home until 1886, when he removed to 
Somerset and spent his remaining days in 
honorable retirement from labor. He died 
in 1891, at the age of seventy-five years. 
His wife was a daughter of Sanuie! Dean, 
a resident of Clayton township. She died 
in 1900, at the age of seventy-fnur \ears. 
In their fannly were four brothers whoi are 
still living and four who have passefl away, 
and of the five sisters one is now deceased. 
Samuel, the eldest, a lumber merchant of 
Columljus, (.)hi()i: Jacob, deceased; Jose])h 
J., of Logan, Ohio, who owns and itperates 
a large bent wood works and is also the 
owner of ten sawmills; William, of this re- 

26 



view; Thomas J., who is associated with 
his brother William in business as manager 
of his sawmill at Zanesville; Austin, 
Alfred and Nicholas, all deceased; Mary, 
the wife of Joseph Stalter, of Logan, Ohio; 
Mrs. Arthur McNally, wdio lived in Somer- 
set but has now passed away; Mrs. Eliza- 
lieth Beaver, of Somerset ; Mrs. John 
Maber and Mrs. Anion ^^liller, both of 
Somerset. 

In the schools of Clayton township the 
subject of this review was educated, anxi 
when a j'oung man he became connected 
with the lumber business, which has been 
to him a profitable field of labor. His. 
career has been remarkably successful,, 
chiefly by reason of his natural ability and. 
his thorough insight into the business in 
which as a young tradesman he em;barked.. 
His strict integrity, Inisiness conservatism. 
and judgment have been so universally 
recognized that lie has enjoyed public con- 
fidence to an enviable degree, and naturally 
this lias broiight to him an e.xtensive patron- 
age, hi.>* sales of lumber extending through- 
out the southern ])ortion of Ohio. His. 
brothers-in-law, Henry 1). and James M., 
Flautt, are connected with him in the 
planing mill business, each having owned a 
third interest in the two i)laning mills since 
1894. 

In Somerset was celebrated the mar- 
riage of Mr. Snider an<l iMiss Bertha 
Flautt, a daughter of Jose])h I'lautt. who 
came froui Maryland to ( )hioi jn, 1830. 
Their children are Mary Blanch, Bertha 
Eleanor, Martha, Zita, Lauretta, William, 
]\ose and Grace. The familv are comnumi- 



4/2 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cants of the Holy Trinity Cath(^lic church. 
Mr. Snider i.s interested in all movements 
fi>r the advancement of the community 
along social, material, intellectual and 
moral lines and has co-operated in many 
movements for the public good. In addi- 
tion to his industrial and property interests 



he is also connected with financial circles as 
a director in the Somerset Bank. Although 
his business interests have been and are ex- 
tensive, he is always the same genial, 
courteous gentleman, whose ways are those 
of refinement and whose word n<j man can 
question. 



COLONEL JOHN W. FREE. 



Colonel John W. Free, who was a prac- 
titioner of law but is now living retired in 
Xew Le.xington, conies of a family honor- 
able and distinguished. He was lx)rn in 
Stewartstown, York county. Pennsylvania. 
-August 8, 1830. His paternal grandfather 
was a native of Hesse Cassel, Germany, and 
he and two brothers came from tiie father- 
land to the new world to fight in the En- 
glisii ,UMny at the time of the Revolutionary 
war. They were present when Cornwallis 
surrendered the tr(K>ps to General Wash- 
ingti;n at \'orktown. Having fonned an 
attachment for the new world the grand- 
father <if our subject determined to remain 
and located in Baltimore. ^laryland. while 
one I if the brothers tudk up his aboile in 
North Carolina. 

Dr. John Free, the father of our sub- 
ject, was a physician and minister of the 
gospel, devoting his entire lite tn the work 
of alleviating human suflfering and of pro- 
moting the cause of Christianity. He first 
lalx'red fur the temporal and spiritual wel- 



fare of his fellow men in Pennsyhania. but 
afterward came to Ohio, settling in Mans- 
field, this state, in 1831. There he residetl 
until 1841. In Pennsylvania he had i)re- 
viously married Miss Catherine Newman, a 
daughter of Jacob Newman, of Chambers- 
burg, Pennsylvania, who afterward removed 
to the Buckeye state. He ownetl real estate 
in Mansfield, in fact was one of the found- 
ers of that town, taking a very active and 
helpful ))art in its development and progress. 
He served his ct)untry in the war <>f 181 j. 
going as a guide with General Harrison. 
Becoming ill, he died <>f pneiunonia while 
on the march. Years afterward, in 1840. 
when General Harrison was making a tour 
through the state as the ]>resi(lential candi- 
date, he called upon the daughter of his 
former guiile. Mrs. John F'ree. when in 
Mansfield, .\ndrew. General Joseph. Jacob 
;uid llenry .\cwnian were all uncles of our 
subject. 

After his marriage. Dr. I'rce, the father 
iif our subject, engaged in the jiracticc of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



473 



medicine in Alansfiekl. Of broad humani- 
tarian principles and deep human sympathy, 
he gave his services freely to^ the poor, ac- 
cepting and desiring no compensation. His 
own Christian life, too, was an inspiration 
and a help to tho'Se whom he met. In 1S41 
he removed to McCutchinville, Wyandot 
count}-, where he engaged in practice for a 
time, but afterward located on a farm in 
that county, there spending his remaining 
days. His was a noble, upright and helpful 
life and the world is certainly better by his 
having lived. His memory still remains as 
a blessed benediction to those who knew 
him. He passed away in 1871, at the age 
of seventy-eight years, and his wife died in 
1870, at the advancecl age of sevent\--eight 
years. 

Colonel Free, whose name intrciduces 
this review, was one of a familv of eight 
children : Susan is still living in Xew Lex- 
ington, at about the age of eighty years : 
Rosanna, also of New Lexington, is the 
widow of Prof. G. A. Sickles, formerly a 
member of the faculty of Heidelberg Semi- 
nary ; Mrs. Catherine Hoffman is deceased; 
Anna B. is the wife of J. W. Cooley, of 
Wyandot county, Ohio; \. X., wh.i was 
bi'rn in Chambersburg. Penns\-]\ania, has 
for the past forty years spent the greater 
jjart of his time in traveling over the wnr'd: 
the Colonel is the sixth in order nf bn-th ; 
Henry X., the next younger, is miw de- 
ceased; and Colonel ^\'illiam Henry Harri- 
sr n Free, the eighth member of the familv, 
died in Xew Lexington, July t8, 1876, at 
the age of forty years. He was engaged 
in merchandising in this place when the 



Civil war was inaugurated and with patri- 
otic spirit he raised a company for three 
months' service. He became its first lieu- 
tenant and on the expiration of the tenn he 
raised another comnmnd for three years' 
ser\-ice and liecame its captain. This was 
known as Company D, Thirt\-tirst Ohio In- 
fantry. Colonel Free was wounded at 
Chickamauga while leading his men. He 
was afterward made a major in the Ninety- 
fifth Ohio and subsequent!}- promoted to the 
rank of lieutenant colonel in that regiment. 
He then returned to X^^ew Lexington, hav- 
ing been elected to the state legislature by a 
majority of twelve hundred while he was 
lying in a hospital at Nashville because of 
his wounds. He ser\ed during the winter 
in the assembly and then again went to the 
front, coaitinuing in the army until honor- 
ably discharged in Decemlier, 1865. He 
was a brave and efficient officer and in civil 
life was a man of sterling honor and worth, 
who enjoyed in; a high degree the confidence 
and respect of his fellmv mai. 

Colonel John W. Free, whose name in- 
troduces this review, pursued his educatinn 
in the schools of Mansfield and in Wvandot 
county, displaying special aptitude in bis 
studies. At the age of sixteen years he be- 
gan teaching, as did all of liis brothers and 
two sisters. In 183(1 he came to Xew Lex- 
ington, where he turned his attention to^ 
merchandising, and in i8()i he, too, raised 
a ci>mpany, gathering together sufficient 
men for the command in five days. Elected 
its captain, he went to the front in command 
of Com])any A. ThirtN-first Ohio Volunteer 
Infantrw ;ni(l in Xovember. iSAj, he was 



474 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



proniiited to the rank of major, continuing 
in tliat position until 1865, when lie re- 
signed owing to the fatal illness of his wife, 
win I (lied on the 14th (if April of that year. 
at the age of twenty-two years. He had 
married ])rior to his enlistment, the lady of 
iiis choice heing Miss Catherine France, of 
Perry county. She left two children, Anna 
and Lulu, both of whcjm are now deceased. 
There is now a grandchild, A. F. Ott, who 
is living in \\'ashington Court House, Ohio, 
and who served in the Spanish-American 
war. ])eing chief bugler on the stafif of Gai- 
eral A. H. \\'i!son. 

After the death of his first wife Colonel 
Free was again married, his second union 
being with Miss Martha A. Moore, a daugh- 
ter of Andrew and Lois Moore, of Perry 
county. There is one child In this uni(~in, 
Kate A., the wife of John E. Davis, by^ 
whom she has one child, Major Free Davis, 
of Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Since the war Colonel Free has resided 



at Xew Lexington. He studied law, l>eing 
admitted to the bar, and c(jntinued in the 
practice of his profession until 1883. He 
has always declined public office, never seek- 
ing notoriety of that character. Since 1852 
he has Ijeen a loyal and devoted member of 
the Mas(jnic fraternity, and he also belongs 
to the Indei)endent Order of Odd Fellows 
and the (irand Army of the Republic. He 
is widely known in Xew Lexington, where 
he won an enviable reputation in early times 
as a merchaut and later as a member of the 
bar. His military career is one most cred- 
itable, for meritorious conduct on the field 
of battle won him promotion. In matters 
of citizenship he is as true to-day to his 
country as when he followed the old /flag 
upon the southern battlefields. As a man 
he possesses sterling traits of cliaracter 
which ha\e gained him pojxilarity and 
friendship antl no one is more worthy of 
representation in this volume than Colonel 
Free. 



JOSEPH ADAMS. 



The story of the sufferings and the 
l)ra\ery of those who wore the l>lue and 
fouglit nobly for the preservation of the 
Union, now so great and jjrospcn us as a 
direct result of their heroism and their de- 
votion to princi]jle and country, — this story 
cannot ))e told ton often. It is especially 
well that tho.se of the vounger generation 



sh(>ul(l have impressed upon their minds 
that the bravery and happiness they enjoy 
freely was purcha.sed for them at an awful 
price, and though none but an actual i^ar- 
ticipant in the Civil war can give the true 
picture in its entirety, a faint idea may be 
gai'ied in the iierusal of the history of those 
will , as in the case of Tose|ih Adams, ex- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



47! 



perienced the liorrors of war in many of its 
worst phases. Mr. Adams, who del at hi- 
home in New Lexington, sacrificed his hfe 
on the akar of his cormtry ami he certainly 
deserves the credit for what he did toward 
Siii)pressing the rel^ellion of the south, 
hazarding the authority of the government 
at Washington. 

Mr. Adams was a native of Pennsyl- 
vau'ia, liis hirth having c-ccurred in \\'ash- 
ington county, that state, on the _'jd cf Au- 
gust, 1828. When he was four years of 
age he was hrought tn Perry county, Ohio, 
in 1832, h\- liis parents, Rohert and Mar- 
garet ( McClellan) Adams, who located in 
Clayton township, the father purchasing a 
farm, on which they spent their remaining 
days. His death occurred September 11, 
1886, when he was eighty-four years of 
age, and his wife passed away on the 12th 
of July, 1890. at the age of ei.glity-seven 
years and sex^en months. Both were natives 
of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and 
the family is of Irish lineage. Joseph 
Adams, the grandfather of oair subject, to- 
gether with his father, came from the Em- 
erald Isle to the new world. The maternal 
grandfather of our subject was James Mc- 
Clellan. who also came from Ireland. Unto 
Robert and Margaret (McClellan) Adams 
were born seven sons: Joseph, of this re- 
view ; John, who served in the Civil war and 
is now deceased : Samuel, who for three 
years was a L'nion soldier and liecame a 
■corporal and is now living in Brown, Kan- 
sas ; Calvin, who was killed in battle, being 
with his brothers in the One Hundred 
:and Fourteenth Ohio Volunteei" Infantry; 



James, who serx'ed in the commissary de- 
partment during the Civil war and is now 
lix'ing in Cook count}-, Iowa; Margaret, the 
deceased wife of J. A. Grant, of Salt Lake 
townshi]). Perry county: and \\'illi;im. who 
died many \-ears ago. 

Josejih Adams, of this review, was 
reared u])on the old home farm and thrijugh- 
out the ]jeri(.Kl of his acti\e business career 
carried on agricultural pursuits. \\'hen tlie 
country became involved in civil war he 
was more than forty years of age and thus 
exempt from military service. However, he 
enlisted in 1864 as a member of the One 
Hundred and Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry, serving as a member of Company F 
during the term of his enlistment. His 
health became so badly impaired during his 
ser\ice that for eighteen years prior to his 
death he was unalile to engage in active 
work. After his return from the war he 
again took up his abode on the old home- 
stead and for a time carried on agricultural 
pursuits, meeting with good success as the 
result of his labors, but as the years passed 
he suffered niore and more as the result of 
the hardships of his army life and for almost 
two decades he had to put aside business 
cares entirely. 

Mr. Adams was united in marriage to 
Miss Elizabeth Colborn, a daughter of Rob- 
ert and Rebecca (Hazleton) Colborn, whose 
father removed from Somerset county, 
Pennsylvania, to Pike township. Perry 
county. Ohio, and spent the last years of his 
life here. d_\ing in i8()3, at the advanced age 
of eighty-four years. His wife was a 
daughter of Samuel and Nancy (McKin- 



476 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ney) Hazleton, and her father was a pioneer Mary Josephine, the wife of John S. Safeli, 
settler of Perry county, coming west with of Pike township, Perry county : James 
his brothers, John, Henry and WilHam Arthur, now deceased ; and Charles Earl, 
Hazleton. who is living in New Lexington. For more 
Tlie marriage of our suljject and his than forty years, Mr. Adams, the father of 
wife was bles.sed with seven children : Rob- this family, was a loyal and exemplary 
ert C, who die>l at the age of four years; member of the Masonic fraternity, and he 
Margaret I., wlu) is the wife of .\lbert also belonged to the Grand Ar:ny of the Re- 
Flowers, of Clinton county, Iowa; Lulie, jjublic. Ht was a man of must excellent 
now the wife of William' Collins, of ^^'ar- traits of character and enjoyed the warm 
ren county, Ohio; Susan M., at home; regard and confidence of all who knew him. 



GENERAL THOMAS EWING, A. M.. LL. D. 

(iencral Ewing was burn August 7, secretary to President Taylor. In 1852 he- 

1829, in Lancaster, Ohio, and was a entered Brow.n Universitv. where he was 

.son of Senator Thomas Ewing. tJie famous i.v:pular with faculty and students. Those 

lawyer and statesman, whosj sketch appears who knew him then recall his splencHd phys- 

elsewhere in this work. His mother, ique; his intellectual, transjiarent counte- 

through whom he was related to James Gil- nance ; his genial temper ; his strong anti- 

lespie Blaine, was Maria \\'ills Boyle, a slavery feeling, and his hatred >:'f inju.stice 

granddaughter of Xeal Gillespie, who emi- in every form. The warm admiration which 

grated from County Donegal, Ireland, and the president, the illustrious Dr. Wavland, 

became a man dI" eminence in western I'enn- showed for him was one i>t tiie ])lea,-anl rec- 

sylvania in the latter ])art of the last ceu- dlections of his life, h'rom Brown Uni- 

tury. His mother's father. Hugh Boyle, versity he went to Cincinnati and entered the 

also a native of Donegal, took active part in law office of the Honorable Henrv Stanbery, 

a political conspiracy and, in 1791, was and the Cincinnati Law Schod. In 1855 he 

forced to tlee to .America, where for forty began practice in Cincinnati. Soon after he 

years he was clerk of the supreme court of was employed by John W. Andrew^, a i)rom- 

Ohio f( r Eairfichl county. inent lawyer of Columbus, to assist in de- 

.\t nineteen .Mr. Ewing was a i)rivatc fending three actions at law in the L^nite;! 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



'\77 



States Circuit Court, fur infring-enient (it 
"Parker's Patent Reaction and Percussinn 
Water W'lieel." Success in tliese led to his 
being- retained to defend over fifty other 
cases brouglit on the same patent. 

On January i8, 1856, Mr. Ewing- was 
married to Miss Ellen Ewing Cox, daughter 
of the Rev. William Cox. of Piqua. Ohio, 
a minister of the Presbyterian Church dis- 
tinguished for zeal and eloquence. To them 
were born five children, who' are still living, 
namely: \\'illiam Cox, who- is engaged in 
artistic photography in Washington. D. C. : 
Maria, who is the wife of Edwin S. Martin, 
of Xew Straits\-ille, Ohio , Thomas and 
Hampt(.)n Denman, wIki arc practicing law 
in Xew York citv, and Mary Beall, who 
lives with her mother in Yonkers, Xew 
York. 

Th<;ugh Mr. Ewing was reared a Cath- 
olic, he did m^t accept the doctrine nf in- 
fallil)ilily. V>\ mental constitution he was 
una'l>le to limit Christianitv to anv denomi- 
natiini, 'but he believed in Jesus Christ as his 
divine Master and Savior. 

Early in T857 he removed with his fam- 
ily to Lea\'en worth. Kansas, where he 
formed a partnership with his brother, Hugh 
Boiy-le Ewing, for the practice ol law. Later 
the firm included William Tecumseb Sher- 
man, who was married to liis elder sister, 
b'llen I'liiyle Ewing. and Daniel McCook. In 
the Ci\il war. three members of the firm at- 
tained the rank of brigadier general, and the 
fourth became the great hero of .\tlanta and 
the march tn the sea. Durmg the famous 



struggle which resulted in the admission of 
Kansas as a free state, ]\Ir. Ewing rendered 
a service to freedom of much historic inter- 
est. 

When in January, 1861, Kansas was ad- 
mitted under a free constitution, Mr. Ewing, 
then but thirty-one years oi age, was elected 
chief justice of the supreme court. He 
served less than two vears. but established a 
high reputation as a jurist. With him "the 
law stood for justice and the judge for 
righteousness." In September, 18(12. he re- 
signed the chief-justiceship to enter the 
Union arm\' and recruited the Elexenth 
Regiment. Kansas \''olunteer Infantry, of 
which he was elected a colonel. For gal- 
lant conduct at Prairie Grove, one of the 
fiercest battles of the war, he was com- 
missioned a brigadier general on ^larch 
T3, 1863, by special order of President 
Lincoln. He was assigned to the "Dis- 
trict of the Border" comprising the state 
of Kansas and the western portion of Mis- 
souri — a "hornet's nest of a district," as he 
called it. This command, for which his ac- 
(|uaintance and influence especially fitted 
him, he held fmm Jiuie, 1863. to Feliruary, 
1864. While in command of this district, 
iin August 25), 1863. he issued an urder 
kniiwn as "Order Xn. 1 1," directing the de- 
po])ul;uion of large portions of four In rder 
counties of western Missouri. By the order 
the loyal inhabitants were reciuired to re- 
move to the military posts, the disloyal to 
remi ve ont of the c unities. It was a severe 
measure, but the onh- wav of surnK.iunting 



478 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the difficulties to he overcome. These conn- inents of tlie army or any detachment. After 

ties, after having suffered mucli from Kan- they liad committed many depredations and 

sas Redlegs under Jennison and otlier pred- then penetrated to Lawrence, wliere tliey 

atory leaders, whom General Ewing sup- nuirdered nearly 200 jjeopie in cold blood 

pressed with a strong hand, had become the and burned the city, I knew some decisive 

base of operations of about ? thousand Mis- measure had to be adopted. The Kansas 

souri guerrillas, under Ouantrill. who inces- people were aroused, and it .<eems provi- 

santlv raided southern Kansas. Speaking of dential interference that stayed them from 

the issuance of the order. General Ewing, going into Missouri and at least murdering 

at a reception tendered him in Kansas City those people they knew kept the guerrillas 

in 1890, said: posted. I believe as to General Schofield 

"1 remember wh.en I came here, that on and 1 know as to myself, that Order No. 11 
mv trij) to Independence along a road by was issued out of a spirit of mercy to the 
which 1 had once seen beautiful farm houses people whose homes were in the border 
so thick] v ]i cated as to make it almost seem counties. It was a deliberate order and my 
a great long street. I saw. with but one ex- judgment has never faltered an instant. But 
ception. onh' tlie monuments which Jennison 1 confess [ ha\e suffered a great deal from 
left, blackened chimneys. But one house the weak and partisan construction put upon 
between Kansas City and Independence was it. W'hcn it was issued and before it went 
inhabited. .Miout that time 1 went to Xe- into effect, ]\Iontgomrey Blair made an ap- 
vada, which 1 had remembered as a pretty peal to President Lincoln to have it re- 
town. .\rri\ing there. I did not lind a hu- voked. In iiuMi President Lincoln called 
man being in tlie place. It was entirely de- upon General Schofield for an explanation — 
serteil — not e\en a cat, dog or domestic ani- and the order went into effect. It was to 
mal of any kind could be seen, save some me the only means of restoring peace. Those 
cows that had taken up their abode in the people were told that they must move and 
court house, which had been left in ruins, tbey did so without any show of military 
the records being trampled beneath the hoofs interference, and I am sure w ere no more in- 
of the cows. convenienced than any of you would be to- 

"I-lvery exi)edition I sent out to over- dav wlio had to change your place of abode. 

take the guerrillas failed to achie\e the ob- All vou people, who were with me, know 

ject sought. We could not overtake them, the truth of these statements. I remember 

On every side of us were living people who that my own father rcmiMistrated with me 

not only befriended and sympathized with about that order and 1 know his heart was 

the guerrillas, but furnished thcni with ad- J'i.ght. but he didn't know. 1 ha\c been 

vantageous information as to the mo\e- pelted by the Democratic \y.wi\ on this ac- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 479 

■count; and the charge that I was cruel to cates the lives of every one of the men he 

my fellow beings while in a position to com- defended." 

mand is galling. Yet if I had it all to do During this periml he opposed the re- 
over again I would do it in the same way." construction policv of the Republican party. 

After General Ewing had thus remo\'ed His olijections were that it would proscribe 
the spies and purveyors from "the hills of the whites of the South and make the ne- 
the robbers," Ouantrill, unable to continue groes the rulers ; that their government 
the vendetta, led the guerillas south. Under would have to be propped by bayonets and 
General Ewing's firm administration re-set- must fall when the support was withdrawn; 
tlement of the country soon began, and the that it would prove a vast burden on the 
border war, which had raged for eight North and destructive to the South, and 
years, was ended forexer. General Ewing as wholly unconstitutional. He addressed 
conducted one campaign where he displayed the soldiers" convention which met at Cleve- 
military ability sufficient, had the operations land, Ohio, in September. 1866. Of this ad- 
been larger to give him rank as a great com- dress James G. Blaine says, in his Twenty 
mander. General Ewing was made a brevet Years of Congress : "The only noteworthy 
major-general for meritorious conduct at speech in the con\-ention was delivered by 
Pilot Knob. He resigned on February 23, General Thomas Ewing. * * * * He 
1865. at the close of the war in the West. and Mr. Browning were law partners at the. 

In the spring of 1865 he removed to the time of ^Ir. Johnson's accession, and both 

city of \\'ashington, where he enjoyed for now resolved to oppose the Republican 

six years a large and lucrative practice. He party. General Ewing's loss was regretted 

was at dilTerent times in partnership with by a large number of friends. He had in- 

his father. Senator O. H. Browning, and lierited talent and capacity of a high order, 

his brother. General Charles Ewing. He was rapidly rising in his profession, and 

■was the general attornev fur the Central Pa- seemed destined to an inviting political ca- 

cific Railroad Company. He defended Ar- reer in the party to which he had lielonged 

nold, Spangler and Dr. ^ludd when on trial from its first organization. In supporting 

with Mrs. Surratt and four others Ijefure a the policy of President Johnson he made a 

military commission charged with cnnspir- large sacrifice, — large 'enough certainly to 

acy to assassinate President Lincoln. In free his action from the slightest suspicion 

the words of a writer of authoritv, he "be- of any other motive than conviction of 

•came the leading spirit of the defense * * duty." President Johnson offered Mr. Ew- 

* and wrought the- miracle of plucking ing the positions of secretary of war and at- 

from the deadlv clutches of the judge-ach'o- torney-general : but he declined both offices. 



48o THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 

In 1870 lie remmed to Lancaster, witli William Allen was elected governor of Ohio 
ample means acquired in his profession, and upon a platform written by General Ewing 
embarked in the work of developing the which squarely opix>sed resumption. In 1876 
Hocking vallev. He was largely instru- Allen G. Thurman sought the Democratic 
mental in the constructicm of the Ohio Cen- nomination for the presidency. Though less 
tral Railway. But the ])anic of 1873 robbed pronounced in opposition to resumi)tion than 
him of all pecuniary return from his efforts, was Governor Allen, Senator Thurman was 
and cast upon him a vast indebtedness, General Ewing's preference for the nomina- 
which he could easily have avoided, but tion, but upon condition that the declara- 
which fie struggled to pay during the re- tion of financial jKllicy adopted in 1875 
maining quarter century of his life. He was should not be modified. When the state 
a member t>f the constitutional convention of convention met in Cincinnati the followers 
Ohio in 1873-4. where his legal attainments of Senator Thurman. led by the Hon. Frank 
and admirable powers of debate gave him a Hurd. controlled its organization and intro- 
leading place. But the proposed constitu- duced resolutions which in effect declared 
tion failed of adoption by the people. In the for the abandonment of opposition to the 
financial di.scussions following the war to resumption ])olicy. Minority resolutions re- 
the resumption of specie payments in 1879. affirming the platform of 1875 were reported 
General Ewing was iinmounced in his op- l)v Governor William D. Morgan. At a mo- 
position to the various statutes devised to ment when defeat seemed certain General 
enhance the value of the currency and effect Ewing mounted the stand. "I rise," said 
the payment of government bonds in gold, he, "not to sjxeak for a man, but for the 
He ipposed the law of 1869 \Vhich declared cause." By a powerful and impassioned 
that brnds. the ])rincipal of which was orig- speech he carried the Morgan resolutions, 
inally made payable in greenbacks, should He himself presented the name of William 
be paid in coin. In 1871 he attacked the re- Allen, at St. Louis, as the nonnnee of the 
funding (jperations of the government, and Ohio Democracy. General Ewing repre- 
the policy of currency contraction, from sented the Lancaster district in congress 
which he anticii)ated commercial disaster, an from 1877 to 1881, where he advocated the 
anticii)ation fulfilled in the panic of 1873. remonetization of silver, and became the 
In January. 1875. the act was passed by con- leader in the successful fight to amend the 
gress providing for the resumption of specie resumjjtion scheme so as to |)rovi(le that the 
l)ayments. He aroused the Democratic party greenbacks should be reissued instead of be- 
against the resumption policy, and for the ing destroyed when once jjresented for re- 
ne.Nt four years was the most conspicuous demption. But for this amendment the cur- 
figure in the Greenback movement. In 187; rencv. alrc;id\ reduced in v<'Inme. would 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 48 s 

have been greatly contracted, to the im- suffer b}- the proix>sed changes, and after a 

measurable distress of the industrial classes, vigorous debate he carried an amendment 

And resuniiption would have been impossi- continuing the usual appropriations. In 

ble, as Secretary Sherman admitted in his in- closing his speech he referred to the famous, 

terview with tlie committee on finance, pony-exj^ress established by Ben Holliday 

]\Iarch 19, 1878, when the question was put before the war, between St. Joseph, Mis- 

to him by Senator Allison : "In other words» souri, and San Francisco, and in one of his 

you think we cannot come to and maintain happiest expressions likened it to a "spider's 

specie payments without the power to reis- thread swung across the desert." In 1879 

sue?"' To which Secretary Sherman an- General Ewing was the Democratic candi- 

swered: "1 dn nut think we can." On the date for governor of Ohio, but was defeated 

money question General Ewing was unwar- alter a brilliant campaign which attracted 

rantably charged with ach'ocating inflation, the attention of the nation, it being recog- 

His position was, in fact, the conservative nized that success would place him in the 

jjosition. He sought tn preser\-e the green- front rank of presidential possibilities. In- 

backs and to avert the fall in [jrices which tensely democratic, he aimed to ser\-e the 

forced resumption produced. He proposed whole people, and had the courage of his 

t(j retire the nati<nial bank cnrrenc}' and tix conxictions ; and the Democracy of Ohio 

by constitutional amendment the \-olume of lioni red him witli a dex'otion such as has 

the greenback currency and its enlargement been enjoyed by few men. In 1881 he retired 

in proportion to the annual percentage of in- from congress and fn m politics. 
crease in the population. In congress he Removing to Vonkers. Xew York, in 

was also largely instrumental in stopping tlui 1882, he practiced law in Xew York citv, 

employment of Federal troops and supervis- He was for many years in partncrshii) with 

ors at elections conducted under state laws, the Hon. Milton I. Southard, formcrlv of 

Respecting the tariff he was a moderate pro- Ohio, who had represented the Zanesville 

tectionist. During his last year in ccmgress a district in congress.. In 1803 he organized 

bill was reported unanimously from the com- the firm of Ewing, Whitman & Ewing, in 

mittee on ])ostal service which proposed very order to join with him his sons, Thomas and 

large reduction in the approjiriation for the Hampton Denman Ewing. In 1X9^ he was 

ser\ice in the far west. Any one familiar attorney to the department of buildings of 

with the conduct of business in congress Xew York city. He delivered addresses on 

knows how all but certainly the unanimous numerous jiublic occasions, which he ])re- 

report of ;i committee controls. General jjared with great care. In an address before 

Ewing knew that the jieople affected woul<I the Law School of the Universitv of the 



482 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



City of Xew York, he favored the abolition 
of the requirement of unanimity of the jury 
in civil cases, and the co<Hfication of the 
"private law." In closing he said : 

"Gentleman, always recollect that you 
are American lawyers, and owe allegiance to 
the people. Be loyal to your so\ereign in 
word and deed. The experiment of self- 
government has been concluded and is a 
world acknowledged success. * * * 
Exert your influence in perfecting the law. 
and in administering it expeditiously, econ- 
omicalh' and justly. Seek to make a law- 
suit a terror to evil-doers only. Guard the 
liberty of the people and that equality which 
is the soul of free government. Punish 
-abuse, oppression and corruption wherever 
and however they appear in the profession 
or in the courts. So that the people may for- 
get the grievances of which poets and novel- 
ists have bitterly and mournfully written ; 
and Oily Ciammon, and Sampson Brass, and 
Jarndyce and poor little Miss Flite, may be 
remembered only as myths showing the 
griefs of the olden times ; and so that Amer- 
ican jurisjjrudence may illustrate Sir Mat- 
thew Hale's lofty and elcquent tribute to 
law : ".-Ml things on earth do her reverence, 
the least as feeling her protection, the great- 
est as not e.xempt from her power. Her 
voice is the harmony of the world ; her seat 
in the bosom or God." " 

General Ewing was a founder of the 
Ohio Society of New York in 1886, and its 
president until 1889. He loved the people 
of Ohio, and hoped to return to live in Lan- 



caster, at or near whicii city lived, with 
their families, his brothers. General Hugh 
Boyle and Judge Philemon Beecher Ewing, 
his sister, Mrs. C. F. Steele, his eldest son, 
William Co.x Ewing, anil elder daughter, 
Mrs. Edwin S. Martin. General Ewing was 
struck down by a cable car in Xew York on 
January 20, 1896. He was taken to his 
apartment where he was living with his wife 
and younger daughter Beall. He died on 
the morning of January 2\. without recover- 
ing consciousness. He was buried at Yonk- 
ers (in the Friday following. His wife and 
all his children survive him. In his every- 
day life he was pure and unselfish. Though 
full of high ambition, he was hopeful and 
cheerful under adversity and disappoint- 
ment. In manner he was dignified and sim- 
])le: in conversation ready and interesting, 
full of humor and amiability. Always gen- 
erous and approachable, he had hosts of 
friends. Xo one appealed to him in vain. 
"His hand gave help, his heart compassion.'' 
He was an affectionate son and brother, a 
loving father, a devoted husband. In noting 
his death the Cincinnati Enquirer said : 

"Thoaigh General 'Diomas Ewing re- 
moved to Xew York about fifteen years ago, 
he resided still in the warm affections of the 
people of Ohio. His death will be mourned 
in e\ery community in which he ever lived. 
Thomas Ewing was an ideal gentleman. 
Handsome in person, easy and gracious in 
manner, and lofty in his ideals, he made a 
deep impression on everybotly he met. He 
was a gallant and effective soldier, an able 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



483 



lawyer, a sincere statesman, and a politician Ohio anil the ailministration of national 

who set a high moral example in the practice affairs."' 

of politics. He was worthy to be the son of [The foregoing sketch is reprinted from 
the eminent Thomas Ewing of old, whose the "Bench and Bar of Ohio," issned in De- 
name is inseparably woven in the history of cember, 1897.] 



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